From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
For better accountability and effectiveness in handling gender issues, the Gender Advancement Strategy International (GSAI), a nonprofit organisation, has tasked the federal government to invest more in evidence-based approaches in the interest of the country.
GSAI explained that evidence-based approaches would help the government fatten its database as only reliable statistics would guide it.
Koufa, Oyinkepreye, GSAI Project Assistant, made the appeal yesterday when the organisation visited the National Women Development Center in Abuja.
Oyinkepreye said the visit was part of GSAI’s ongoing project on Gender Accountability and Responsibility in Nigeria, which is funded by the Open Society Foundation.
“One of the reasons why we are here today is to introduce our organization and the work we do. One of the projects we are implementing is the Gender Accountability and Inclusivity in Nigeria which is centered on strengthening gender accountability and position women’s rights nationally and bringing government to account at the national and sub-national level. The project also seeks to lend a voice on promoting disability inclusion through research, advocacy, and community engagement.” She stated.
The Project Assistant added that to ensure evidence-based research, GSAI trained and mentored journalists on investigative reporting.
“We strive for accountability and that is why we say that as a government, it is not just enough to churn out numbers but to invest in data driven research to boost accountability.”
In her remark, Dr. Mrs Ebi Emezu, the Director of Training, National Women Development Center, affirmed that data is critical to ensuring proper tracking and monitoring of interventions which is why as a government they are keen on applying evidence-based approach to implementation of initiatives.
Emezu noted that the center had been training women in various skills acquisition in order to help them become self-reliant and reduce unemployment rate in the nation.
She highlighted the many empowerment initiatives carried out by the Centre such as ICT training, skill acquisition training and livelihood skills for women, girls and boys in artisan, masonry, catering, tailoring among others.
“These persons are issued certificates, and the Centre doesn’t stop at that but ensures to follow up on their performance and post training experience to track their progress and encourage the push.” The Director said.
According to the Director, “Economic empowerment gives you a voice as a woman and it makes you to be seen. Without economic empowerment, you are voiceless.”
Emezu added that the Centre is keen on social inclusion and as part of their efforts towards empowering persons with disabilities, the it has established a Technology Enabling Room for persons with disability to also key into some of the vocational courses that the Centre offers.
She further noted that the Centre also promotes women participation in not only politics but at decision-making and that as a research-based institute, they also conduct research and are working on implementing the recommendations.
The Director noted that the Centre is currently upgrading its website but that most of its interventions are visible on the live board located outside the Centre for transparency and accountability.