IT has been established, that it is counter-productive to have less women actively participating at the top cadre in the economy and governance of any society.In Nigeria, as in other developing societies, underdevelopment is now linked to the underrepresentation of women at those critical stages of leadership, where decision on policy and resources are taken.There are now concerted efforts to have women contribute meaningfully to national development. For a country the size and population like Nigeria's, there is no doubt that the development would affect other countries in the sub region and continent. It is therefore critical that women are given more access within the developmental process, in order for the country to harvest the gains of gender mainstreaming.Against this background, the World Bank the DFID and Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA held the first in the series of High Level Gender Policy Dialogues and multi stakeholder sessions on gender equality and development. The dialogue, which took place in Lagos recently, focused on how to operationalise and implement innovative policies that would include in the core of developmental policies and programmes.Marcelo Giugale, World Bank PREM Sector Director at the occasion stressed the need for greater involvement of women in governance and decision-making, so that women will take responsibility for making desirable policy changes that can drive the socio-economic empowerment of women and girls.Giugale said women in Nigeria are in a position to contribute positively and effectively to national development and that the status of women and girls is key to determining the progress and advancement of the nation.He said, 'There is great need for skill-oriented girl-child education and a monitored system to ensure that teachers perform their duty'.He cited the example of the World Bank initiative in Tanzania, where girls were equipped with phones that have codes that can report a teacher who is absent from school or report a teacher who is present, but in an alcoholic state at school.Another World Bank representative, Marcus Goldstein observed that over one million women in Sub Sahara Africa are missing out in the development process, mostly in their reproductive years. He noted that despite the fact that more women were increasingly joining the workforce worldwide, many of them still earn less than their male counterparts. He then called for policies that would expand access to economic opportunities; correct gender biases and create enabling environment for equal development.The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Ade Ipaye lauded the efforts of the state government in the provision of laws protecting women and men too, from domestic violence, rape and the rehabilitation initiative, an initiative that is coordinated by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.On her part, the CEO Main One Cable Company, Funke Opeke identified childbirth and raising of children as factors militating against the progress of career women, especially entrepreneurs, professionals. She said the business environment in Nigeria is harsh, thereby making it difficult for women to form business networks and connect with potential partners.Another World Bank representative Mary Hallward said women are more targets of sexual favours than men. Hence, women should be properly tutored to have a good image of themselves and be able to stand up and demand their rights always.Cynthis Mosunmola, a young mechanized farmer with a 25-acres of farmland narrated her personal experience that underscored the need for policy reviews. She argued that favourable policies would help young entrepreneurs to have easy access to capital and discourage bad policies.At the end of the sessions, participants unanimously agreed on three main conclusions:First, there should be easy and timely access for women to hospitals; as well as prompt availability of quality drugs, qualified personal, conditions that would go a long way to reducing the current rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria.Secondly, that more women would suffer less injustice if assisted and adequately empowered to have easy access to justice, through proper education and enlightenment on their rights.Thirdly, by ensuring that more women are financially empowered through access to soft loans for cottage businesses, through membership of cooperative societies and by ensuring that young female graduates are given equal chances to be gainfully employed, like their male counterparts.These resolutions formed the recommendations that would be forwarded to government and policy makers.The dialogue had in attendance representatives from the World Bank, the Department for International Development (DFID), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, civil society groups, politicians, and women entrepreneurs.
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