CAMPAIGN As a campaign launched by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) against gender disparity restricting women and girls to attain their full potential in education takes the centre stage in Africa, Nigeria has taken a bold step to promote equality, and dismantle such barriers. REGINA OTOKPA writes
Against the backdrop of gender disparity and problems of high rate of women and girls dropping out of school in Africa, a new initiative and campaign have been launched to address and mitigate the challenges.
The continental campaign, tagged: “#WeAreEqual” and spearheaded by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), is to dismantle all walls and barriers restricting girls and women in Africa from attaining their full potential, particularly in education.
Part of the major objectives of the campaign officially launched for African countries on June 17, 2023 by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development is to address the barriers holding women and girls in Africa back with a view to closing the gender gap in four critical areas.
These four thematic areas are – prioritising women’s health, ensuring access to education for girls, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and taking a stand against gender-based violence.
Initiative
Following the official launch of the campaign in Africa, all First Ladies in African countries were directed or mandated to domesticate the initiative in their respective countries. Thus, the organisation gave first ladies till July 2024 to hold relaunch sessions of the campaign across countries in Africa.
Under their briefs, they were mandated to critically look at the priorities of their countries for which they are to select one of the pillars to implement the advancement of gender equity and close the gender gap in education and other spheres hamstring girls’ education and women development in each of the countries.
Part of the first ladies’ mandates is to mobilise communities and policymakers to support the campaign, and consciously they are also to develop projects in their countries to be anchored on the campaign pillars after launching the campaign initiative in their respective countries in July.
The campaign, according to OAFLAD, is designed to address the various forms of discrimination targeted against women and girls in Africa, as the continent strives to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, as well as the African Union Strategy for Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment. Besides, the year-long campaign is expected to leverage on international and regional days and milestones in disseminating strategic advocacy messages on gender equality with the aim of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, and building good governance.
Speaking on the continental campaign, the Executive Secretary of Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, Dr Nardos Berhanu, however, wondered that despite the progress made in closing the education and gender gaps in Africa, there are still existing certain challenges confronting the realisation of 100 per cent wholesome gender equality in Africa.
Student Loan Scheme, which is now in effect for our youth to have unhindered access to education, knowing that education is the bedrock of national development and the cornerstone upon which dreams are built, skills acquired and aspirations generally realised. “I believe that every state in Nigeria, and indeed Africa should have schools where socio-economically disadvantaged girls and women can access education without fear or discrimination due to their gender.”