BEHOLD THE LAUNCH OF AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS NETWORK (AWLN) (NIGERIA CHAPTER). BY LADY NKIRU CELINE OKORO

Who would galvanize Nigeria’s women’s movement?

Who and what would make the over two decades quest for 35% affirmative action in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria’s governance space a reality, against the backdrop that “Power is not given but taken?

Where would the over 3000 gender focused civil society organizations advocating for increased women representation across all levels of government at local, state and national levels seek resources for their activism?

Who would bail and close the “gender- gap ” in Nigeria’s political and governance space?

Perhaps, the answers to these concerns and more rest in the penultimate public presentation and launch of the Nigerian chapter of Africa Women Leaders Network at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on the first day of July 2019.

Steering Committee Members: AWLN Nigerian Chapter.

The African women Leaders Network has been a long time in coming. Launched in New York in June 2017 at the World Leaders Forum for Africa, the group seeks to establish and nurture an inclusive network of women including young women in leadership across political, public, private sectors, civil society and grassroots organizations who are actively engaged in mobilization and participation in governance at all levels.

A high level joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AU) and the United Nations (UN) through the office of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with support from the office of the Ambassador to Nigeria,  Federal Republic of Germany. AWLN will facilitate the creation of the Africa we want because when women come together they can create a new and better Africa and Nigeria must be seen to take the lead in this” according to UN Country Representative – Ms Comfort Lamptey at the launch.

The public presentation was supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany – Abuja; African Union, UNWomen, and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP SDG).

Key Resources Support for AWLN – Nigerian Chapter.

AWLN, Nigerian chapter seeks to be a strong voice and advocate for increased women representation in leadership, peace and security.  They work to harness energies and experiences that coalesce and contribute to Africa’s 2063 development agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals especially goal five and ten of the SDGs.

Ms. Comfort Lamptey, Head UN Women in Nigeria & ECOWAS

AWLN – Nigeria Chapter hopes to work towards the total transformation of Nigeria by proffering solutions for the inclusion and reintegration of internally displaced persons and persons living with disabilities.

Over the next one year, AWLN Nigerian chapter’s priority area will include:

• Women’s participation in peace and security,
• Women’s high level advocacy to secure political will in support of policies to be domesticated and resourced including National gender policy, VAPP Act, Child Rights Act and Gender and Equal Opportunity bill.
• Women’s’ political representation and leadership,
• Women’s economic empowerment and social investment and mentorship of young women through inter generational dialogue.

Ambassador to Nigeria, Federal Republic of Germany

AWLN – Nigerian chapter would also address:

Deeply entrenched low representation of women in elective and appointive positions currently below 5% worst than African regional percentage of 38%;

Deepening and worsening conflict and escalation of violence against women, girls and children;

Unite towards the passage of gender and equal opportunity bill by the ninth National Assembly as well as invest and support the next generation of young and aspiring activist.

It is hoped that AWLN will make Nigerian women more visible and respected and galvanize support towards the achievement of 35% affirmative action in elective and appointive positions in governance at all levels.

AWLN will be an accountability and network tool with broad vision to integrate women in governance and mainstream gender across all levels of development.

 Her Excellency, Mrs. Adejoke Adefurile, OSSAP SDG

Their OBJECTIVES include:

• Promote and foster peace and security through engagement and collaboration with security sector agencies to uphold the rights of women and girls and ensure  their protection from sexual and gender based  violence;
• Support advocacy efforts towards legal reforms to guarantee equal representation of women in politics and decision making and provide capacity building and peer learning support to elected and appointed women;
• Collaborate with national partners to update and maintain a directory of active multisectoral women’s network that can drive the agenda and success of AWLN
• Foster intergenerational dialogue among women leaders to facilitate a common vision and agenda for transformative change and development in Nigeria in furtherance of gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Maintain an efficient secretariat to support the work of AWLN Nigerian Chapter.

Friends of AWLN – Nigerian Chapter

Members of the steering Committee Are:

Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo – Chairperson,

Ms. Fatima Askira – Secretary

Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Member ? Adviser

Her Excellency. Mrs. Toyin Saraki. Member /Advisor.

Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Bagudu Member

Professor Oluwafunmi Para Mallam Mni Member.

Pastort Esther Ibanga, Member

Dr. Abiola Akiyode Afolabi, Member

Senator Abiodun Christine Olujimi, Member,

Professor Joy Ngozi Ezilo (OON), Member,

Ms. Onyinye Okaak , Member,

Mrs. Jandet Olumilayo Olaleye, Member,

Mrs. Amina Yuguda, Member

Institutional Members include

Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development

Dr. Mrs. Gloria L. Shoda Mni, National Council for Women Societies – Institutional members.

Bar Ebere Ifendu at the launch.

Ms. Angela Daniel at the launch

AWLN – Nigerian chapter is about walking the walk with clarity of vision while putting structures in place.

 It is about building synergy without duplicating efforts. It is about one voice, and a common cause.

 It is about building intergenerational resources and synergy for capacity enhancement from middle aged women to the young ones.

 It is about building a one stop shop for women in peace and security in Nigeria.

The key interface for AWNL – Nigerian chapter rests on the need to leverage strength and position as well as ability to seize the moment. This is because when women are mobilized a determined leadership for change is formed.

AWLN – Nigerian chapter is a platform to redefine Nigeria we want.

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