General
Source: Leadership
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Development Partners on gender issues.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajiya Habiba Lawal, signed the MoU on behalf of the ministry.
She said the purpose was to focus on the support of the Development Partners Group on Gender (PDGG) to be more encompassing and strategic.
"The signing of the MoU was in accordance with the Paris Declaration of 2005, which aims to improve transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the use of development resources.
"The PDGG is a forum for sharing information, coordination and harmonisation of all efforts of development partners.
"It was also a forum to support a proactive and systematic process that is for improved gender equality and women's empowerment.
"We expect that the partnership will help in developing structures, consolidate activities in areas of common concern towards our shared goals of gender equality and women empowerment,'' she said.
Lawal thanked the development partners for providing the platform to enable the ministry move the country's gender agenda forward.
She said that the partnership would further promote and improve finances for gender equality in Nigeria.
Mrs Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, Deputy Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, said the PDGG brought together development partners on gender.
Their coming together, she said, would enable them to articulate their support to the Nigerian government and people to avoid wastage and duplication.
She said that most of them have tried to identify with the Paris declaration to align ourselves with the country's plan.
"That is, not to run our own agenda, but to try to support the country's plan, especially the gender ministry to deliver on their mandate.
"We are deeply committed to continue to provide that support.
"Signing this MoU brings together a framework that will coordinate an engagement with the government of Nigeria through the ministry.
"It will also assist in streamlining our work and ensuring that our support is effective and needed in Nigeria,'' said Charlse-Monwuba.