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Be more strategic to effect positive changes, women told
Coalitions of women movement have been urged to be more strategic in planning to effect positive changes.
The Executive Director, Media Concern Initiative, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, spoke at a training on capacity strengthening for networks /coalitions to monitor and demand accountability in Lagos. It was part of the Joint EU Spotlight Initiative project being implemented by the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC).
Dr. Olufemi-Kayode, who spoke on “Effective Steps to Policy on Violence Against Women/ Girls (VAWG), among others, also pointed out the need to involve men and women to make positive changes.
“Aside this, identify primary audience, influencers, decision makers, and other allies to make these changes,” she urged. Policy advocacy and lobbying, according to the Executive Co-ordinator, Ajoke Aishat Afolabi Foundation, Mrs. Foluke Ademokun, is important because it makes the government. to listen to public opinions.
“Although women did not perform well in the last election, but because of advocacy and public opinion on gender equality, we discovered that across some states, more women were given appointive positions,’’ she added. The government can also be involved in advocacy, said Mrs Ademokun.
For women to participate effectively in the 2023 elections, Mrs Ademokun charged women to be more interested in partisan politics.
The training, according to the Executive Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, was aimed at training women networks and coalitions on advocacy, leadership and monitoring skills to demand accountability on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure sustainable prevention of VAWG/HP and the promotion of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for women and girls in Lagos State.
