Edo strengthens gender policy with GIZ partnership, training

The Edo State government and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit on Wednesday said they are working together to begin the Gender Policy implementation in the state.

This was reached at a two-day workshop for the Edo Gender Technical Working Group organised by the Skill Development for Youth Employment, a GIZ subsidiary.

SKYE’s Helen Igboka said a capacity-building workshop was held ahead of the state Gender policy implementation.

She said that the gender policy development process began in 2022 and was launched in 2023 by Betsy Obaseki, the wife of the state governor.

Igboka noted that following the successful validation phase of the policy development process, the policy was now poised for comprehensive implementation across the state.

She noted that the workshop was a critical milestone in empowering relevant stakeholders, using the Edo Gender Technical Working Group as a vehicle, with the necessary skills to mainstream gender policy in a transformative way.

She added, “The workshop is expected to culminate in strengthening capacities among Technical Working Group members to support the ongoing gender mainstreaming efforts and facilitate community engagement.

“By the fourth quarter of 2024, the TWG anticipates delivering its inaugural annual report, showcasing progress towards a more inclusive and gender-responsive Edo,” she added.

The State Commissioner, Ministry of Gender and Social Development, Mrs Christabel Omoh, said the workshop would ensure measurable progress and impactful outcomes.

Participants participated in sessions on gender transformative approaches, policy implementation framework, monitoring, and evaluation strategies, among other topics.