WREP facilitates Dialogue Between Stakeholders and Women Groups in Taraba
By Sarah Mudwa
Women’s Right To Education Program (WREP) held a one day dialogue between women Groups and high level Stakeholders as part of the project, “Enhancing Gender Equality in Governance and Budgeting in Taraba State”.
The project which is funded by the Foreign and Common Wealth Development Office, Nigeria through the Civil Society Situation Room held the dialogue at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Jalingo.
The dialogue is in line with WREP’s aim to promote a true culture of lifelong learning and promote the practice of transparency and accountability in the mobilization, allocation and utilization of community, state and national resources so as to achieve an acceptable standard of living for every Nigerian.
Speaking during the event the Taraba State Head of Service Mr. Paul Tino Maigida, applauded the Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for appointing women in the executive council as commissioners.
He also noted that the he has recently nominated 4 women out of 10 new Permanent Secretaries which the governor approved, while assuring WREP of continuous collaboration.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Commissioners of Women Affairs & Child Development and Health, Mrs. Grace Danladi and Mrs Luka Stella both encouraged women groups to be active participants in every decision making process through organizing campaigns that will attract government attention to the needs of women.
Mrs Luka speaking for the Commissioner of Health also said the Ministry is open to any form of collaboration with WREP in order to enhance women representation in governance and foster inclusiveness in every budget even as women and and children have always been a priority to the ministry.
On his part, the Clerk who was represented by the Deputy Director, Department of Research, Planning and Statistics of the Taraba State House of Assembly charged women Groups to develop a budget that suits the needs of women and present it to the assembly as a way of inclusiveness and identification in the state budget allocation process.
Auwal Abdullahi Turaki, of the Turaki Ward Jalingo, emphasized the importance of the family as the smallest unit the foundation of every society, and calls on the government to empower women and youth to enhance equal representation.
Leaders of diverse women groups highly recommended massive awareness for women to know the importance of budget, gender mainstreaming, knowing what gender issues to be reflected in the budget.
In his remark, the Executive Director of WREP, who was represented by the project manager Mr. Henry Akya, also applauded the Governor of Taraba State Dr. Agbu Kefas for the platform to operate in the state and also for the high level of inclusiveness of women on his cabinet, while urging women groups to participate actively in governance.
