Women Environmental Programme (WEP) organized a sensitization workshop for states in the North-Central region of Nigeria to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders on the implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change for Nigeria (NAPGCC). Being a federal state, national policies in Nigeria are expected to be implemented at the sub-national levels, hence the need for stakeholders at the sub-national levels to be sensitized to have adequate knowledge of national policies for effective implementation.

The event commenced with a welcome remark from the Executive Director of WEP Ms Anne-Marie Abaagu. According to Anne-Marie, “since the launch of the Action Plan whose implementation ought to commence in 2021, the State government agencies and other actors are yet to be sensitized and their capacity built on how the Action Plan would be implemented. If this is not done, challenges that are associated with policy implementation in Nigeria may set in hampering the realization of the goal of the Action Plan”. Gender mainstreaming, she says, plays a key role in policy development targeting mitigation and adaptation, by ensuring that gender equality perspective is adopted and implemented. She stressed that when it comes to decision making and implementation towards building resilient communities in the face of climate change, the meaningful participation of all groups becomes very essential.

Goodwill messages were received from Commissioners among whom were; Mr Aliyu A. Agwai the Permanent Secretary and Acting Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Nasarawa State; Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Kogi State; and Mrs. Hauwa Aluju Oga, the Permanent Secretary and Acting Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Nasarawa State, who also declared the workshop opened. In their speeches they highlighted key actions taken by their States to promote gender mainstreaming in climate change actions.

During the workshop, participants were equipped with knowledge on the concept of climate change as well as mitigation and adaptation measures. They were also taken through the journey of the NAPGCC; its inception, the process involved in its development and when it was launched. Thereafter, participants went into State group work to develop actions that will guide the implementation of the Action Plan in their respective States.

The event took place on 2nd September, 2021 at Paradise Hotel Lafia and had in attendance participants from all the North-central States including FCT. Participants were drawn from relevant agencies of government, civil society organizations and the media.

This activity is part of the activities under the project; Strengthening Capacity for Implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change at Sub-National Levels in Nigeria with funding from WECF International.