Ovedhe Jerry.
In a bid to ensure that Women are given equal rights with their male counterpart in the society, the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) has called for more advocacy on gender equality in Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
The Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) made this call in a one day seminar organized by the foundation in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s Day celebration held at PIND EDC Centre Egbokodo, Warri, Delta State.
Speaking at the event, PIND Deputy Executive Director of PIND in Warri, Tunji Idowu harps on the need of having stakeholders to participate in the co-development of ideas, solutions and responsibilities is vital to deepening gender equality advocacy in the Niger Delta region.
He said that, “We cannot afford to be disconnected in vision and purpose at this critical times as the beginning of the sustainable development goal number 5 that we all yearn for in the region lies in effective dialogue and shared learning.”
“More than ever before, we need dialogue like this Roundtable to recently in meaningful discussions required for setting directions together and working smarter together towards gender equality in the Niger Delta.” Idowu posited.
On his part, PIND Economic Development Manager, James Elekwachi, explained that, gender mainstreaming was not only about including women as intervention beneficiaries, but also about deliberately addressing issues limiting women’s economic and social well-being.
He added that, “That’s why over the years, we have empowered and facilitated opportunities for thousands of women such as access to fit for purpose efficient technologies and also championed women’s issues such as violence against women and girls.”
According to him, “The 2020 IWD celebration with the theme ” I am generation equality: Realising women’s right, was designed to take stock of the progress made in promoting women’s rights since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, 25 years ago.
He noted that, the Foundation organized the roundtable with its partners and beneficiaries to take stock of the progress it has made in gender mainstreaming in the last 10 years in the Niger Delta.
He further disclosed that PIND’s economic development program grows businesses, boosts productivity and income for small holder farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES).
“To enable integrated peace and economic growth, PIND’s Peace Building program strengthens conflict resolution mechanism and fosters stability through a regional network of peace actors and an early warning and early response structure,” Elekwachi added.
Also speaking at the event, Bose Eitohkpa, a former Capacity Building Manager at PIND and gender specialist called for bridging the gap between those who started the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the new generation so that they can carry on with the struggles.
She recalled all the various programs and activities by the Foundation towards gender mainstreaming and peace building .
PIND is a Nigerian non-profit organization established by Chevron Corporation to build partnerships for peace and equitable economic development in the Niger Delta.
