Kaduna: CLEEN Foundation has initiated a three-day state-level dialogue aimed at enhancing gender-responsive policies and institutional practices in Kaduna State. This dialogue is supported by the Norwegian Government through the Norwegian Royal Embassy in Abuja and brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and women-led groups, to address the gap between gender policies and their implementation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Peter Maduoma, highlighted that Nigeria possesses substantial policy and institutional frameworks designed to advance gender equality and women’s participation. However, implementation remains a significant hurdle. Maduoma, represented by Mrs. Justina Johnson, Senior Finance and Administration Manager, pointed out issues such as weak institutional ownership, inadequate resources, fragmented coordination, and a lack of gender-disaggregated data as primary factors hindering effective policy implementation.
The dialogue, distinct from conventional awareness meetings, is structured as a policy-to-practice platform. Participants will scrutinize how gender-responsive commitments are mirrored in institutional policies, budgets, programs, and operational practices. Maduoma emphasized the meeting’s role in fostering opportunities for policy reflection, institutional accountability, evidence sharing, and practical action planning.
The dialogue aims to assess institutional gaps and opportunities to translate gender commitments into actionable policies, programs, and budgets. It seeks to bolster the capacity of legislators, ministries, departments, agencies, and policymakers. Furthermore, the dialogue will promote collaboration among stakeholders working to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment, and participation in governance and development.
Participants will engage in discussions combining evidence presentations, policy discussions, and sector-specific sessions. The expected outcomes include a State-Level Gender Policy and Institutional Practice Dialogue outcome, a Gender-Responsive Governance Action Matrix, and a Cross-State Policy and Practice Synthesis Report. The program is anticipated to strengthen institutional ownership, enhance coordination, and foster the integration of gender considerations into planning and budgeting processes.
In his goodwill message, ACP Abdulkadir Yahaya of the Kaduna State Police Command underscored the importance of collective responsibility in addressing gender-related challenges. Yahaya emphasized that no single institution could effectively tackle these issues without collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, civil society, and communities.
Mrs. Helen Musa from the Gender Desk at the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield useful discussions and bring positive societal changes. Meanwhile, Kim Magaji, representing the Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, highlighted the ministry’s efforts to establish a robust gender unit to strengthen responses to gender-related issues.
Mrs. Olufunke Bamikole, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kaduna State Branch, called for stronger implementation of gender-responsive policies and adequate funding for relevant institutions to effectively promote and protect the rights of women and children.
CLEEN Foundation’s Programme Director, Dr. Salaudeen Hasheem, presented a performance appraisal framework for the Women, Peace and Security State Action Plan. Hasheem emphasized the importance of women’s participation in decision-making and peace processes and highlighted the need for protecting women and girls from gender-based violence, especially during emergencies.
The dialogue, according to Dr. Hasheem, is expected to address the challenge of dependence on external donors and the absence of dedicated domestic budget lines for implementation. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the discussions will generate state-specific recommendations and commitments to strengthen gender-responsive governance, peace, security, and justice programming in Kaduna State.