Mathew Amaechi
In a significant step towards promoting inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process, the European Union Support to Democratic Governance Programme (EU-SDGN) has supported a 3-day training of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) desk officers. The training, held in Abuja, focused on ensuring gender and disability inclusion in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The EU-SDGN aims to develop a comprehensive training manual for INEC inclusivity officers to effectively address and manage gender and disability-related issues that may arise during elections. Director, Gender and Inclusivity Department, INEC, Lakunuya Dorathy Bello, described the workshop as timely and important, emphasizing its role in promoting free, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections across the country.
She said, “The manual will assist the Commission to build the capacity of its desk officers to enable them to serve the interest of inclusivity in various states. The manual will enable them to perform optimally at their duties, ensuring that marginalized groups are adequately represented during elections.”
Programme Manager of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Vaneza Gregory, said the workshop was necessitated by a gap in inclusivity data for women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“We realized a gap in the inclusivity data made available by INEC, and there was a need to address the gap in data produced in the areas of inclusivity for women and PWDs,” Gregory added.
According to Gregory, 40 INEC gender desk officers drawn from the 36 states would be trained through the programme over a period of one week, to ensure they were adequately equipped to effectively address and manage gender and disability-related issues.
She further disclosed that the handbook provides an overview of the legal and policy frameworks, international agreements, and practical strategies to ensure that all citizens, including women and PWDs, can participate fully in elections.
The EU-SDGN’s efforts to support capacity building for INEC staff have been lauded, with the workshop helping participants improve their skills and experience in addressing inclusivity issues. As Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, this training marks a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and ensuring that marginalized groups are adequately represented.