…Calls for gender equality, social inclusion
A Non- Governmental Organisation better known as Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, has organized a one-day workshop for Community leaders and Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) members in Niger Delta region.
The workshop which bears the theme, ‘Community Dialogue on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for Community leaders and HCDT Members”, held at Aldgate hotel, Sani Abacha road, GRA Phase 111, Port-Hacourt, Rivers State, recently.
Delivering her lecture at the workshop, the Resource Person, Chief Mrs Constance Meju, harped on the need for promotion of gender equality and social inclusion in society, particularly in the Niger Delta region, saying that the inclusion of women in decision making process will not only bring peace ,but also development to the Communities and the larger society.
Her words, “Gender equality and social inclusion are two intertwined concepts that help improve access to goods and services for all, including the excluded, women and those less economically stability
GESI promotes inclusive policies and focuses on increasing the power of the excluded, women and the poor.
“GESI requires us to create enabling environment for all to engage in and benefit equally from development intervention”.
Condemning social exclusion in strong terms, she said, “This kind of social exclusion robs individuals of dignity, security, and the opportunity to lead a better life. Unless the root cause of structural exclusion and discrimination are addressed, it will be challenging to support sustainable inclusive growth and rapid poverty reduction “.
Meju however supported gender equality which she said was “essential to achieve peaceful societies with full human potential and sustainable development. And it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth.
“When women are empowered, there is more development, the family economy is stronger, children are better guided and healthier, living standards are better and the general society benefits”.
Stressing the need for community leaders to be transparent and also carry everyone along, including women in the discharge of their duties, she noted, “More funding for community development is welcome, but historically, the main challenge has not been the lack of funds, but the failure to manage this properly, to ensure it benefits Communities.
“GESI is about giving room for everyone in the society to participate, develop and contribute to societal growth. It is also about adequately capturing the needs of your community. HCDTs will work with Needs Assessments, Communities need to develop their plans from which to draw up a development blueprint from which the community fund can derive its projects.
“Communities that promote gender equality and social inclusion grow faster, leave none behind and experience peace. It is about everyone contributing to make the soup sweeter”.
Continuing, the erudite scholar stated, “As community leaders, you must understand that the world is pushing to bridge the inequality gap in society, because it has been discovered that inequality delays development, affects the economy of families, Communities and society and promotes violence, ill-health and poverty”.
On the need for conduct of Community Needs Assessment before carrying out any project, she opined, “Always think about the needs, challenges of all segments of your community before you embark on any policy, project or programme, including the sharing of social amenities like grants, loans, scholarships, farmlands etc, or siting of projects. You need to conduct an assessment of what the needs of both the men and women are, and how your new project or policy will impact them”.
While speaking to Hero Express shortly after the event, the participants drawn from the various Communities in the Niger Delta area, expressed deep joy over the opportunity giving to them to learn more about community leadership.
They however thanked Kebetkache, the organizers and the Resource Person, Chief Mrs Constance Meju, for the wonderful lecture, and promised to share the experience with their people for the sake of peace and development of their various Communities and Niger Delta region at large.
