As part of ongoing efforts to institutionalize gender mainstreaming across Cross River State, the Department of Gender Mainstreaming led by Ms Utibe Abasi Bassey Duke recently organized a one-day capacity-building workshop for Gender Desk Officers and Women Affairs Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was facilitated by Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke, Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, who provided in-depth knowledge, practical strategies, and tools to strengthen gender mainstreaming efforts in governance.
The training focused on core areas that Gender Desk Officers and Women Affairs Officers must understand and implement effectively. These included:
1. Gender and Key Concepts
Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke introduced participants to fundamental gender concepts, highlighting the distinctions between gender and sex, the importance of gender equality and equity, and the role of gender mainstreaming in governance and development.
2. Aspects of Gender
A detailed session led by Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke examined different aspects of gender, helping participants understand how gender dynamics influence various sectors of governance and society. These aspects included:
i. Women, Peace, and Security
The importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution
International and national frameworks, including UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security
Strategies for ensuring women’s involvement in decision-making processes during conflict and post-conflict reconstruction
ii. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Identifying the various forms of GBV, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and harmful traditional practices
Understanding the root causes and impact of GBV on communities
Strengthening response mechanisms, referral pathways, and survivor-centered approaches
iii. Women’s Political and Leadership Participation
The barriers limiting women’s participation in politics and leadership
Strategies for increasing women’s representation in political spaces and decision-making positions
Strengthening advocacy for gender-sensitive electoral reforms and policies
iv. Women’s Care Work and Work-Life Balance
Recognizing the burden of unpaid care work and its impact on women’s economic opportunities
Policies and strategies for reducing gender disparities in domestic and professional responsibilities
Promoting family-friendly workplace policies and support systems
v. Women and Climate Change
How climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly in rural communities
The role of women in climate adaptation and sustainable environmental practices
Gender-responsive policies for climate resilience and disaster risk reduction
vi. Social and Cultural Norms
Understanding how cultural norms influence gender roles and stereotypes
Strategies for challenging harmful traditional practices that hinder gender equality
Engaging traditional and religious leaders as key stakeholders in promoting gender-positive social norms
vii. Women’s Economic Empowerment
Identifying economic barriers women face in entrepreneurship, employment, and financial inclusion
Promoting gender-responsive policies for equal access to resources and opportunities
Strengthening women’s participation in business, trade, and cooperative movements
3. International, National, and State Laws & Policies on Gender
Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke provided an overview of key gender-related laws and policies, including:
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Beijing Platform for Action
Nigeria’s National Gender Policy
State-level gender laws and frameworks
Participants were encouraged to use these legal instruments as advocacy tools to push for gender-responsive governance.
4. Roles and Responsibilities of Gender Desk Officers
As the focal points for gender-related issues within their respective institutions, Gender Desk Officers were guided by Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke on their key responsibilities, which include:
Ensuring gender is mainstreamed across all policies and programs
Advocating for gender-responsive budgeting
Developing gender-sensitive strategies for effective program implementation
Tracking and reporting gender indicators for institutional accountability
5. Developing Local Action Plans on Gender Mainstreaming
A hands-on session, facilitated by Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke, allowed participants to develop Local Action Plans (LAPs) for their respective LGAs and MDAs. These plans outlined practical steps to integrate gender mainstreaming into governance structures and monitor progress effectively.
6. Enhancing Visibility and Accessing Funding
Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke emphasized the need for strategic engagement and visibility of gender-related programs. Participants learned:
How to increase the visibility of gender initiatives within their institutions and communities
Techniques for securing political support and funding for gender programs
Approaches to leveraging partnerships with donors, private sector stakeholders, and development organizations
Key Takeaways and Commitments
By the end of the training, participants committed to:
✅ Mainstreaming gender in all policies and programs
✅ Advocating for gender-responsive budgeting at the LGA and state levels
✅ Strengthening GBV response mechanisms and referral pathways
✅ Implementing their Local Action Plans and tracking progress
Speaking at the training, Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke highlighted the importance of continuous engagement and policy implementation, stating:
“Gender mainstreaming is more than just a policy requirement—it is a transformational tool for achieving equitable development. As Gender Desk Officers, you have the power to influence change, bridge gender gaps, and ensure a more inclusive governance system that works for all.”
Conclusion
This capacity-building workshop, facilitated by Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke, marks a significant milestone in strengthening gender-responsive governance in Cross River State. Moving forward, continuous training, engagement, and implementation of gender policies will be essential in achieving gender equality and sustainable development.
