PLAN International, international development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights has launched an advocacy cluster tagged; “Nothing for Her without Her”, to advance the rights of girls in Nigeria.
Launched to commemorate International Women’s Day 2022, the advocacy cluster was developed to encourage the involvement of women and girls in development processes.
Speaking at the launch, Jonathan Abakpa, the activity’s coordinator, shared that the advocacy cluster will focus on mobilizing and organizing young people’s organizations, which significantly include girls and young women, to demand that girls’ and young women’s issues be included in political campaign promises and programs.
Also Speaking, the Country Director of PLAN International, Mr. Usie Charles Emmamuzou, noted that the cluster’s debut was timely, adding, “I am delighted that youth are beginning to mobilize for action to include more girls and women in decision-making processes.”
The panel discussion focused on the current reality of gender inequality and strategies for achieving women’s inclusion in Nigeria.
The panelists which include; Dr. Adekunle Akinola, a lecturer at Ondo State’s Adekunle Ajasin University, and Ms. Bushrah Balogun, a Kashim Ibrahim fellow and gender advocate, highlighted the need for the creation of more economic opportunities for women to mitigate the challenges of high electoral costs in the country, review of existing policies and creation of new policies that support women in leadership positions and removal of cultural and traditional biases.
Mr. Tunde Aremu, the Policy, Research, and Influencing Manager at PLAN International urged young people in attendance not to give up on their efforts to make Nigeria a better place, despite the evident and numerous hurdles..
The event came to an end with the launch of the Advocacy Cluster and constitution of a 7-person committed to drive the activities of the cluster.