Abuja: The International Labour Organisation (ILO), Oxfam, and civil society groups have joined forces with the Federal Government to enhance gender equality in Nigerian workplaces. Mrs. Olaolu Olaitan, Director of the Inspectorate Department at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, announced this collaboration during a stakeholders’ re-validation meeting on the National World of Work Gender Policy held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment with the aim of eliminating discrimination, violence, and harassment at work, while promoting equity and inclusiveness. Olaitan highlighted that the re-validation process is intended to strengthen the draft policy, ensuring it aligns with Nigeria’s realities and international best practices.
Olaitan praised the involvement of government agencies, organised labour, employers’ associations, Oxfam, and ILO in shaping the policy framework. She emphasized that achieving gender equality at work is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, not just the government.
Dr. Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and ECOWAS, described the policy validation as a significant step for Nigeria. She noted that Nigeria has shown leadership by ratifying ILO Conventions 100, 111, and 190, which address equal pay, discrimination, and workplace harassment.
Phala pointed out that the new policy is in line with the Beijing Declaration, AU Gender Policy, and UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on equality and SDG 8 on decent work. The policy’s provisions also focus on vulnerable groups, including informal workers, migrant workers, persons with disabilities, and those with family responsibilities. Phala stated that if implemented faithfully, the policy could serve as a regional model, showcasing Nigeria’s leadership in workplace equality.
Mr. John Makina, Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, remarked that the validation marks a milestone in the creation of fair and inclusive workplaces. He urged stakeholders to ensure the policy becomes an active framework that closes the gender gap, promotes inclusion, and safeguards decent work for all.