ActionAid launches N2.6b project in Nigeria as USAID laments gender gap

ActionAid Nigeria has launched a N2.6 billion Women’s Voice and Leadership Project to advance protection of women and girls’ rights to achieve gender equality in the country.

This follows a United States Aid for International Development (USAID) report indicating that it would take another 170 years to close the gender equality gap.

The five-year project, to be implemented in Enugu, Bauchi, Kebbi, Cross River, Lagos and Kwara states, would address women empowerment and economic justice, women in conflicts, gender, sexual-based violence and participation in governance.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih, expressed concern about the declining representation of women in leadership positions in the country, while launching the programme in Abuja.

“The increasing discrimination against women is alarming, it grieves me that the number of women representation in leadership is decreasing instead of increasing.

“We are in a time when more women should be in leadership positions to project the voices of those they represent and fighting their causes,” she said.

Responding, ActionAid’s Country Director, Ene Obi said the organisation has partnered with Global Affairs Canada to contribute to gender equality between men and women.

She added that the project would provide the needed resources to women’s rights organisation and their networks to embark on activities they have been denied of in the country.