To improve gender and disability inclusion in Nigeria's electoral process, the European Union Support Program for Democratic Governance (EU-SDGN) on Wednesday supported the training of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The EU-SDGN aims to develop a comprehensive training manual for INEC inclusion officers to effectively address and manage gender and disability related issues that may arise during elections.
The three-day workshop held in Abuja provides an opportunity for relevant stakeholders to review the INEC inclusion manual and identify gaps and areas for improvement.
During the workshop, the Director of the Gender and Inclusivity Department of INEC, Lakunuya Dorathy Bello, stated that the workshop is timely and important as it would help the Commission fulfill its mandate of promoting free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections. cross country.
She said: “The manual will help the Commission build the capacity of its administrative officers to enable them serve the interest of inclusion in various states. The manual will enable them to optimally perform their functions, ensuring that marginalized groups are adequately represented during elections.”
While commending the EU's continued efforts to support capacity building for INEC staff, Bello stated that the workshop helps participants enhance their skills and experience, even as time, laws and people evolve. .
In her remarks, Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF) Program Director Vaneza Gregory said the workshop was necessary due to the gap in inclusion data for women and persons with disabilities (PWD). “We became aware of a gap in the inclusion data made available by INEC, and there was a need to address the gap in data produced in the areas of inclusion data for women and persons with disabilities.”
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He said through the programme, 40 INEC gender officers from 36 states in the country will be trained over a period of one week to ensure that they are adequately equipped to effectively address and manage gender and disability issues.
Furthermore, she revealed that the manual provides an overview of legal and policy frameworks, international agreements and practical strategies to ensure that all citizens, including women and people with disabilities, can fully participate in elections.
George Anwayi, Deputy Director of Programs at TAF Africa, added: “Never before has there been a comprehensive training manual to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups when it comes to INEC. With this activity, we can work towards the integration of women and people with disabilities in electoral processes.
“It is necessary for INEC staff to understand inclusion comprehensively. “This manual will therefore help train INEC officials who will in turn ensure that all marginalized groups are properly integrated into all electoral processes.”