European Union Peace &Security Project for Northern Nigeria to enwrap women

ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report) – “The Federal Government in partnership with the United Nations Women is set to begin the implementation of a 3-year European Union funded programme aimed at promoting the role of women in Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution, especially in Northern Nigeria.
 
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina disclosed this recently when she officially launched the programme in Abuja. Adding, three States comprising Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau have been identified for the pilot phase. She also noted that the programme has been scheduled to start with the North-East as a response to the challenges faced by Nigerian women and girls in that region. 
 
According to her, an important component of the quest for peace and development is the shared vision in Nigeria to strengthen women’s leadership roles, advance gender equality, promote women empowerment and development and also protect women and children in conflict situations. The Minister explained that with the launch, Nigeria would significantly achieve the development goals articulated in the Vision 20:2020 and Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
 
“The Ministry and its stakeholders developed  a National Action Plan (NAP) on the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security which provides the framework for the implementation of the EU-funded programme and has transmitted copies to the UN General Assembly, UN Women Headquarters and ECOWAS Gender Development Centre for the recognition of Nigeria as one of the countries that have developed action plan for implementation of the resolution,” she iterated.
 
Maina listed other actions taken on the NAP by the Ministry and its stakeholders to include: training workshops in 3 geopolitical zones, early warning and monitoring for women community leaders and the inauguration of a National Steering Committee for effective and efficient implementation on NAP, among other activities.
 
Also speaking at the event, the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo observed that the position of women as important pillars in stable family lives has caused engaging them to become critical in sustaining peace, security and development in the present day Nigeria.
 
“If peace is the absence of conflict and strife, then there is no peace in the North-East. While the violent conflicts are raging in the neighbouring States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, Gombe State is grappling with their effects.  Presently, there are 1,599 Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in our camp at Wuro Juli and 13,800 living within the host community in Gombe metropolis.  Another 1,792 have been registered in outlying Local Governments of the State,” the Governor revealed.
 
“Majority of the heads of households in the camp are widows upon whose fragile shoulders the burden of fending for the family now falls.  This scenario highlights the relevance of this engagement programme which seeks to strengthen women’s leadership, advance gender equality and improve on the protection of women and children in conflict situations.”

Ibrahim Dankwambo inferred that though women are better placed to appraise and render support to fellow women and children, this can only be done with the required encouragement of governments and relevant agencies like the EU, UNICEF and UN Women.
 
Speaking earlier, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Grace Ongile said that the strategy of the programme is designed around the capacity building of Nigerian institutions, women groups and gender equality advocates. She also hinted that the programme design incorporates a strong communication and knowledge management element in the hope that it will contribute to broad societal change towards gender equality and generate valuable lessons for application to similar future ventures. 
 
Grace Ongile noted that the UN Women appreciates the initiative, describing it as historic in the annals of the agency. She also expressed hope that their partnership would be strengthened through this programme.

In his remarks, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion announced the EU’s support of 2.1billion naira (10 million Euros) towards the programme.
 
He equally reaffirmed that the EU remains committed to the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women; stating that the rights of all women and girls are a universal priority for the EU. She further noted that this point is reflected in the current discussions on the post-2015 framework for poverty eradication and sustainable development.