Improving Gender Equality Through the establishment of a Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (NGPLS0005)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – Plateau, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
Inception Report: Inception Report – Action plan – Plateau, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
Commitment Start: Sep 2021
Commitment End: Mar 2023
Institutions involved:
- Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
- Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN)
- Office of the Governor
- Plateau State House of Assembly
- Community and Social Development Agency
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Information and Communication
- International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)
- National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
- National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)
- Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria
- Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria
- Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
- Organized Center for Empowerment and Advocacy in Nigeria (OCEAN)
- Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights
- Esther Mallo Women Initiative
- Women and Girlchild Rescue and Development Initiative (WGRDI)
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Civic Participation
Inception Report Summary
Verifiable: Yes
Relevance to OGP Values: Yes
The commitment is a continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislation, policies or requirements.
The commitment activities will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
To view the detailed final assessment of this commitment read the End of Commitment Report
Description
Commitment ID
NGPLS0005
Commitment Title
Improving Gender Equality Through the establishment of a Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission
Problem
- Discrimination on the basis of gender or marital status
- Marginal Participation of women in decision making positions
- Lack of Economic empowerment of women and other vulnerable groups
- Prevalent Incidents of gender-based violence
Status quo
- The 35 % Affirmative Action has not been implemented as there is low appointment of women in decision making positions for example, there are only four female commissioners out of the 23 in Plateau State.
- In the legislative arm of government, there is only one female member of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
- There are several reported incidences of gender-based violence, sometimes as high as 15 cases per week.
(See https://www.usip.org/blog/2020/12/nigeria-police-jos-adapt-covid-driven-rise-sexual-violence )
- The Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, though established by the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law, has not yet been set up/operationalized.
Action
A full implementation of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law which prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender and violence against women, children, and infants, abolishes discriminatory laws and practices, and provides for temporary special measures to be adopted to accelerate gender equality. This will be done through the setting up of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, tasked to deliver on the spirit and the letter of the law.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
Setting up the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission will enable implementation of the Law which will lead to:
- Achievement of 35% Affirmative Action in the state
- Increased participation of women in decision making
- Domestication and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in Plateau State
- Reduction of all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender and marital status
- Reduction in incidents of gender-based violence
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
To enhance participation of women in governance and decision-making processes, while empowering them economically
Primary Policy Area
Inclusion, Safety Nets & Economic Inclusion
Primary Sector
Cross-sectoral
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Civic Participation | This commitment seeks to open the space for improved women and girl-child participation in governance, business and other key-decision making environmentsThis commitment seeks to open the space for improved women and girl-child participation in governance, business and other key-decision making environments |