Women, girls still experience discrimination based on sex, gender –FG

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Federal Government has decried the fact that women and girls still experience discrimination based on their sex and gender.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Monilola Udoh, noted this on Friday during her opening remarks at a Dissemination/Sensitisation Workshop on the 2021-2026 Revised National Gender Policy Implementation, at Rockview Hotel, Abuja.

The workshop focused specifically on the North-Central Zone of the country.

Udoh highlighted the significance of the revised National Gender Policy, which she said builds upon previous policies to address women’s rights issues from a gender perspective.

She emphasised that women’s rights include living free from violence and discrimination, access to education, property ownership, and the right to participate in political processes.

She, however, acknowledged that many women and girls still experience discrimination based on their sex and gender, noting that the realisation prompted the review and update of the 2006 National Gender Policy.

The overarching goal of the revised policy, Udoh said is to create a just society where women, girls, and other vulnerable groups have equal opportunities and rights in all areas of life without discrimination.

The strategic objectives, she said, include bridging gender gaps, protecting women’s human rights, promoting women’s economic empowerment, advancing women’s leadership participation, supporting education and health, integrating gender equity concerns into legislation and policies, and mainstreaming marginalised groups into government development projects. Udoh highlighted key areas of focus within the revised policy, such as the protection of the girl-child, combating violence against women and girls, addressing conflict-related issues involving women and girls, promoting the rights of women with disabilities, and strengthening institutions and partnerships for gender mainstreaming.

She emphasised that these provisions align with the administration’s vision of achieving a gender-sensitive society and inclusive economic growth and development.