WRAHP’s Parallel Event for the Commission on the Status Of Women 68th Session

Theme: Accelerating the achievement of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: The Role of State and Non-State Actors.

During the NGO CSW 68th Session, WRAHP hosted a parallel virtual event with the theme: Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: The Role of State and Non-State Actors.

The event aimed to explore and address challenges hindering gender equality, particularly poverty and lack of access to essential services, while identifying the crucial roles of both state and non-state actors in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The panellists included:

• Bose Ironsi, Founder and Executive Director, WRAHP.
• Adaobi Egboka, Africa Program Director, Vance Center
• Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, Director, Resource Mobilization and Innovation, ActionAid Nigeria
• Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA)

Some of the key points that emerged from the event were ;

• Challenges Faced: Participants highlighted how entrenched social norms, limited resources, and counter-narratives continue to impede efforts toward gender equality.
• Role of Actors: It was emphasized that governments must allocate resources and enforce policies, while non-state actors play a crucial role through advocacy and support services.
• Priority for Women-Led Organizations: Funders were urged to prioritize women-led organizations to ensure credibility and strategic importance in advancing gender equality.
• Importance of Collaboration: Collaboration over competition with government was stressed as vital for maximizing resources and effectiveness.
• Enhancing Accessibility: Participants underscored the urgent need to improve accessibility to survivor-centered services and access to justice.
• Mainstreaming Interventions: Engaging political will and community ownership were identified as essential for effective engagement and mainstreaming interventions.
• Engaging Men as Allies: Participants emphasized the importance of engaging men as allies to challenge stereotypes and support women’s empowerment.
• Private Sector Involvement: The need for private sector involvement, institutional support for women-led organizations, and changing narratives around economic empowerment were highlighted as critical areas for progress.

At WRAHP, we believe that everyone has a role to play in advancing the acceleration of gender equality and women empowerment in the society.