The UN Women, Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Woman Affairs and social development and other stakeholders, on Wednesday, validated the Draft Report of the Beijing Declaration and 25 National Report.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (Beijing Declaration) was adopted in 1995 with commitments to taking strategic and bold actions in 12 critical areas of concern.
The 12 critical areas includes: Poverty, Education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment and the girl child.
Mrs Comfort Lampety, Country Representative, UN Women, Nigeria at a meeting of stakeholders in Abuja, described the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (BDPFA) as the most visionary agenda for the empowerment of women and girls everywhere.
She said that the National-level review of the Beijing Draft Report will help assess progresses made in the implementation of the report and identify the challenges so far.
She said that the workshop would also create the platform for stakeholders to outline strategies for addressing those gaps and challenges.
Lampety said that when effectively reviewed and identified gaps are addressed, the national report will help stimulate and accelerate planning and implementation of programmes and policies for woman and girls.
“The review provides the opportunity to mobilise all branches and levels of government Ministries, Department and Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, women groups especially young women, private sector, the UN system, media and other stakeholders.
“The review also seeks to mobilize all women and men, of all ages around a new and renewed dialogue for change, and actions to prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against all women and girls.
“It also provides opportunity to engage in constituencies that were not previously engaged in discussions on the BDPFA including young men and women born in the last 25 years.
“It also allows us to assess current challenges that affect the implementation for the Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
“The report will also help the country effectively benchmark progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“Your inputs will go a long way in enhancing the current draft report and making sure we have a robust and qualitative report that will meet international standard.
“A lot is expected from Nigeria as in view of its role in Africa”, Lampety said.
Lampety pledged the commitments of the UN Women in ensuring that the issues of woman and girls top the agenda at the international and national levels.
She said that the UN Women in Nigeria will continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant ministries and partners to collectively realize the aspirations and goals for women and girls.
Also speaking, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women and Social Affairs said that to achieve full implementation of the Beijing Declaration, necessary legislative and policy frameworks must be adopted and implemented.
She said that the frameworks that promote equal access to resources, opportunities and increased women participation in leadership and political roles must be encouraged.
“I am very pleased that this validation meeting has been organised at a time when gender equality, women empowerment, financial inclusion and representation of women has been central theme in global treaties and declarations.
“It is of no doubt that there has been tremendous progress toward gender equality and realization of human rights of women and girls.
“However, they are still faced with extraordinary and unprecedented challenges, including economic inequality, climate change and violent fundamentalisms.
“The Country through the Ministry has recorded major achievements in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action”, Anagbogu said.
Anagbogu said that the Ministry will work with stakeholders in attaining gender equality and implementing the full declaration of the Beijing Platform of Action at both National and State levels.
NAN reports that the Beijing Declaration was endorsed by 189 governments, including Nigeria at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995.
