By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed has been commended for giving women a new recognition in the social and political spheres of the State since he was elected as Governor in 2019.
The commendation was made by the State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Child Development and Social Welfare, Zainab Baban Tanko while speaking at a one-day stakeholders consultative meeting on review of the Bauchi State Gender Policy held in Bauchi on Tuesday with support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Zainab Baban Tanko explained that the mandate of the Ministry is to ensure the safety and welfare of Women and Children to which the gender policy will serve as a guide in policy implementation.
According to her, ” The last time the gender policy was reviewed was in 2017 and it’s long overdue, so this review is coming at a time when the ministry is trying to rebrand.”
The Commissioner added that the review will look at identified gender gaps, challenges and recommend amendments to the policy.
In her remarks, UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Specialist and State Program Officer, Deborah Tabara said that the gender policy is a legal framework that will help better the lives of women and children in Bauchi State.
She said the state government has given an enabling environment for international partners to support the state across all sectors.
Deborah Tabara told participants of UNFPA mandates, that is ensuring a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and every young person ‘s potential is fulfilled.
According to her, “UNFPA does that through ending unit needs for family planning, ending gender based violence practices including female genital mutilation, child early and forced marriage “.
Also speaking, State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Theresa Omaga urged the Ministry to leverage on the Agency’s platforms at the local government levels to engage women at the grassroots to make contributions to the review.
Other stakeholders that included International Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, Persons with disability and the Media promised to take a critical look at the existing policy to give that opportunity to make strategic contributions.
