UN Women has been commended for the systematic implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Project under the Nigeria Country Office of the organisation.
The commendation was made during the opening of a 2-day Mid-term review workshop held on Monday at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
Speaking on the implementation of the programme, Desk Officer, Gender in the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Esther Patrick said that Bauchi has done a lot to see that women in the state were given a voice as well as give voice to the voiceless.
She added that people living with Disabilities too were carried along as well as other vulnerable groups to ensure that women stand out in all situations.
According to her, “Once women are allowed to exhibit their full potentials, sky is not going to be the limit. So this programme has honestly given us more insight of what we have that we were being denied of, expressing who we are to our community.”
Esther Patrick added; “By the coming of this programme, we have gone far and we are still going to play our roles as women. The Ministry is there to support the He4She, Mediators and others to achieve Resolution 1325.”
She also said that, “The Ministry is doing all its best to ensure that the activities are being implemented in the 20 LGAs in the state and also down to the wards.”
The Gender Desk Officer stressed that “Our coming here will enable us to share experiences with other states that are implementing the same project, to see where we can make necessary adjustments to achieve the set objectives.”
On her own, the Acting Director, women, in Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs, Margaret Aondo appreciated UN Women for introducing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) programme in the state.
She said that the programme has given women in the state a voice in the affairs of the various communities across the state adding that the women who were hitherto reserved, can now sit amid men and voice put their issues without fear.
Margaret Aondo added that the programme has actually raised awareness among the womenfolk and have been able to know what their responsibilities are in the scheme of things in society.
She assured that the Ministry is ready to ensure full implementation of the programme in the state according to the objectives until it ends in December 2024.
There were goodwill messages from key partners of the programme who all gave commendations to the UN Women stressing that the programme has positively impacted women in the implementing states.
They however called for more effective participation in a few areas where gaps are noticed particularly issues of security of women in the scheme of things.
Ayodeji Olugbemi from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Abuja said that the Programme Expected Results included Government institutions at federal and state levels are strengthened to provide strategic leadership and effectively coordinate the development and localisation of Nigeria’s 3rd National Action Plan and updated State-level Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security.
Outcome 2 is the Representation and leadership of Women Peacebuilding Networks and Women Peace and Security Advocates in Conflict Prevention and Mediation are increased.
She added that Outcome 3 is the State-level structures sustained to effectively lead on integration and accountability for Women, Peace, and Security.
According to her, Outcome 4 is the Representation and participation of women in political leadership is strengthened.
She then urged the participants to be frank and objective in their presentations to assist in the review of the programme implementation as it comes to an end in December 2024 to see how to plan for the Third phase.
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