PIND calls for more advocacy on gender equality

The Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) says having stakeholders participate in the co-development of ideas, solutions and responsibilities is vital to deepening gender equality advocacy in the Niger Delta region.

Tunji Idowu, deputy executive director of PIND, said this at a roundtable PIND organised  in Warri, Delta state, to mark the 2020 International Day of Women (IWD), on Thursday.

Represented by James Elekwachi, PIND economic development manager, he said 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.

“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,” he said.

“More than ever before, we need dialogue like this Roundtable to engage in meaningful discussions required for setting directions together and working smarter together towards gender equality in the Niger Delta.

“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 women’s day celebration 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 said the foundation organised 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.

Speaking at the event, Bose Eitohkpa, a former capacity building manager at PIND and gender specialist, called for bridging of the gap between those who started the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the new generation so that they can carry on with the struggles.

She said all the various programmes and activities by the foundation towards gender mainstreaming and peace building.

PIND is a Nigerian non-profit organisation established by Chevron Corporation to build partnerships for peace and equitable economic development in the Niger Delta.