By Eval Asikong
The Cross River State Gender and Development Office, headed by the S.A., Hon. Helen A. Isamoh, in partnership with a consortium of gender advancement institutions, is proposing a three (3) day high level training workshop for gender Desk Heads across the various Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) and Local Governments in Cross River State. The event is slated to hold in Calabar from 27th – 29th September, 2016.
It is a train-the-trainer workshop, designed to equip participants with requisite technical expertise required to add value to their various job functions and anticipate future roles in the state (public) service. This will promote gender mainstreaming in all public and private policies and programs. The number of participants anticipated is targeted at fifty (50) from within and outside the state.
Gender mainstreaming refers to a public policy concept of assessing the different implications for women and men of any planned policy action, including legislation and programs, in all areas and levels. Mainstreaming essentially offers a pluralistic approach that values the diversity among both men and women. It is on this note that His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade deemed it necessary to create the Department of Gender & Development, headed by the pioneer S.A., Hon. Helen A. Isamoh.
This became imperative as most of the previously trained/experienced officers have either retired or left for other endeavors. To this end, new entrants into the service or those in higher positions are in dire need of high level capacity to function optimally.
This event is put together in conjunction with a collegiate of gender advancement institutions made up of the African Union, Economic Commission for Africa, ECOWAS, the Australian High Commission, United Nations, and Partnership Initiative for Niger-Delta (PIND).
Participants will be availed the opportunity of insights into administration’s initiatives with impacts on gender equity such as the Calabar Fabrics & Garment Factory, the Bakassi Deep Sea Port and the proposed specialized hospitals across the State.