Tag: GADA

  • ARDA trains journalists in Cross River to advocate women participation in politics

    ARDA trains journalists in Cross River to advocate women participation in politics

    A leading non-governmental organization that specializes in social and behavior change communication, ARDA Development Communication Incorporated (ARDA), has organized a capacity-building training for media professionals in Cross River State.

    The training which was attended by 50 journalists drawn from the electronic, print and online media, took place on Thursday at the Freeman Hotel, Calabar, the state capital.

    The Advance: Women Political Participation in Nigeria (AWPP) Project, aims to empower media professionals from both mainstream and online media platforms with the technical knowledge and skills necessary to amplify women’s representation in political leadership.

    The Project, funded by the Government of Canada through UN Women Nigeria and implemented in partnership with Gender and Development Action, seeks to foster inclusivity and equality by advancing women’s participation in politics across the country.

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    As a media partner on this initiative, ARDA is leveraging this training to create a ripple effect of gender-sensitive reporting, encouraging the media to play a pivotal role in changing societal perceptions and breaking barriers for women in political leadership.

    The program underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in driving social change and promoting gender equity within Nigeria’s political landscape.

  • UNICAL Swears in First Female SUG President, GADA Lauds Historic Achievement with WVL Support

    UNICAL Swears in First Female SUG President, GADA Lauds Historic Achievement with WVL Support

    The University of Calabar has sworn in its first female President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), marking a historic milestone in the institutions existence in 49 years.

    The inauguration ceremony, which held Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the University Senate Chambers, saw Blessing Alims taking the oath of office amidst cheers from faculty heads, students and principal officers of the University.

    In her inaugural speech, Ms. Alims expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in her by the University community. She pledged to work with the University management and all stakeholders in the institution to address the needs and aspirations of all other students.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi, in her congratulatory address, highlighted the critical role of exemplary leadership and praised Alims for her sterling qualities that resonated with the electorate.

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    She expressed optimism that Alim’s tenure will inspire more women to actively participate in shaping the future of the University, while affirming that her victory has become an emblem of hope and progress to many out there to aspire to leadership positions without the threat of gender and societal limitations.

    “Today we witness a truly historic occasion, marking a significant milestone in our University’s journey towards gender equality,” Obi stated, while urging the new SUG President to achieve record-breaking success and serve as a beacon of hope and progress for all students.

    Gender and Development Action (GADA) also extended their congratulations to Blessing Alims. In a statement, GADA hailed her victory as a powerful reminder of the progress being made towards gender equality and female empowerment in leadership roles. They expressed pride in her accomplishment and anticipation of the positive impact her presidency will have.

    The statement from GADA reads, “Gender and Development Action (GADA) is elated to congratulate Blessing Alims on her historic victory as the first female SUG President of the University of Calabar in 49 years.

    “This incredible achievement is a powerful reminder of the progress we continue to make towards gender equality and female empowerment in leadership roles. We are immensely proud to witness the historic emergence of the first female Vice Chancellor at the University of Calabar, as well as the inauguration of its first female SUG President.”

    During the SUG Presidential campaign, GADA, through the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria project, supported Blessing Alims with sponsored advocacy, capacity building through manifesto refinement, campus square mobilization, financial support, as well as promotional materials such as billboards and banners. This support played a crucial role in her success.

    GADA’s support for Blessing Alims underscores her commitment to fostering women’s leadership and political participation. Blessing’s victory is a testament to the effectiveness of many interventions initiated by GADA and to drive positive change.

  • GADA interfaces with leaders of political parties in C’River, advocates women’s participation in governance

    GADA interfaces with leaders of political parties in C’River, advocates women’s participation in governance

    By Kelvin Obambon

    A non-governmental organization, Gender and Development Action (GADA), has held an elaborate engagement with leaders of political parties in Cross River, where it advocated the active participation of women in politics and governance.

    Speaking during a meeting with chairmen of parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Calabar the state capital, Ms Nnena Ugbor, Programme Officer at GADA, said the NGO works to promote and advance the rights of women and girls all over Cross River

    She said GADA has been dealing with IPAC and that the both organizations had actually formed a group called GADA-IPAC Group, explaining “the reason the group is formed is to continue to push women to the forefront because we have noticed over time that the women are always relegated to the background in terms of leadership, political participation and decision making.”

    “So our goal is actually to make a little political change even if it is not 100% but at least a little change to make sure that narrative is changed, and that is why we keep engaging the two. And I also want to use this medium to tell all of us that GADA is ready to continue to partner with you, IPAC and to partner with all branches of IPAC as well in order to make this to happen, to make our dream to come to reality.

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    “This particular project is sponsored by  Action Aid Nigeria and they may not be in every state of the federation. They are just in 6 states of the federation, that is where this thing is actually happening. We are starting from a pilot phase which Cross River is one of the states where it is implemented. That pilot is now what will help us to progress to other parts. But how have we been able to capture Cross River state in the first place, that is what matters and so that is where you come in and we come in for that partnership and collaboration.

    “Wth your drive, we are able to support in whatever way making it possible for the women to be carried along, whether at the state or ward level, but you are the ones driving it and we are the ones giving you the support to involve more women since that is our mandate. We actually started a small group of women who will be championing an aspect, two policies which are the affirmative action policy and we have the PSEA policies.

    “We wanted the women to champion that at the political party level. So I do not know if the women had brought it to that point where they will discuss it with the party chairmen. Because we asked that they take it to that level and start advocating at that point. We already have that in mind, but the only thing is that since this is a very small funding that we started to test the waters, other fundings that we are expecting, when they are here, we can expand further to involve more of the policies even if it is not the two that we just started. Or we can concretize these two that we have already started.

    “This particular project is called women’s voice and leadership project, WVL that is what we call it for short,  you can hear the acronym, women’s voice and leadership, it is for women generally, whether it is political or other areas of decision making, as long as women are involved. Now the reason we decided to involve in political parties is because we also want to get the women involved in the political party structures. We want women in all areas, both politically and otherwise. 35% affirmation in party politics. That is what we are advocating for with the relationship GADA has with IPAC,” she said.

    Engr. Edet Okon, state chairman of APP and IPAC chairman, said so far GADA is doing well. He said “they have even reached out to university students to see that they bring trainings to these people to see how they can address this cultural barriers that they may have brought in from their different families and different backgrounds. And the two meetings we’ve had, the women always are impressed, it’s not all about what comes up at the end of the meeting.

    “But so many times, the series of meetings have been well arranged. I want to assure us that our partnership with GADA is a good one. Let’s do as much, of course as we meet, we already have plans to elaborate our partnership as we discuss with one of the managers of GADA that we have plans to get our women across the  senatorial districts, across the 18 local government chapters for more events to bring in GADA and bring in more women so that their 35% affirmation can even be more that 35% at the end of the day. So I want to thank everyone, I want to thank GADA specially, for being here with us today.”

    Contributing, Dr. Ekpenyong Ambo, the state chairman of SDP said although there are policies of IPAC that could bring more women onboard, they however need funding.

    “So in political parties it is not easy because if you look critically, most of the political parties are self-funded and the only way this can be acquired is if we have the backing of GADA for us to promote those policies where we will sit down as IPAC and create a room where we could develop some clusters that will bring in women compulsorily.

    “We use the word compulsorily because if you look critically at IPAC chairmen, it is not compulsory that it may be a man or woman, but most at times women don’t come out. But they are policies that we could put together that we will make it a compulsory issue where we have no option than to place a woman in that position.

    “But before we do such, there are some protocols that we have to go through which involves funding. So if on this note, GADA is willing to go through that process, such item can be in our agenda going forward. So it is like an appeal for you and your team to look into,” he submitted.

  • Federal High Court Calabar Adjourns sexual harassment case against Prof Ndifon, three others

    Federal High Court Calabar Adjourns sexual harassment case against Prof Ndifon, three others

    By Kelvin Obambon

    The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Thursday adjourned a sexual harassment case brought against former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon and three others.

    The case with file no: FHC/CA/FHR/10/2024 was instituted by Gender and Development Action (GADA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Joined in the suit as defendants were the University of Calabar, National Universities Commission, UNICAL Vice Chancellor and Prof. Cyril Ndifon.

    Recall that the former UNICAL dean is currently standing trial before a Federal High Court, Abuja on four amended counts of alleged sexual harassment and gratification preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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    When the case was brought up for hearing for the first time before Justice Ijeoma Ojokwu, the presiding judge at the Federal High Court Calabar, some of the respondents were absent in court, hence the judge adjourned the case to 8 May, 2024 while ordering service on all the respondents.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the adjournment, prosecuting Counsel Doris Nduanusi, said that UNICAL and NUC were joined as defendants because the institutions ought to be accountable as supervisory bodies to prevent such abuses from repeatedly happening. According to her, “this is not a criminal case; it is civil case that will make the universities to be more proactive to create policies to protect the students.”

    The case of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) involving Prof. Ndifon has sparked widespread concern and criticism. The allegations of coercion, sexual exploitation, and threats against students have brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse.

    Co-founder of GADA, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo said “Our organization, GADA, in collaboration with FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers), has advocated for justice and accountability in this matter. This is sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and supported by ActionAid Nigeria.

    “The outcry was deafening as the public demanded answers, and the University of Calabar could no longer turn a blind eye. With our collective pressure, the university finally stepped in, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and vowing to take decisive action. He was suspended and at a later date, arrested. However, as the courts began their pursuit of justice, we pondered: Is this the end of exploitation on Nigerian campuses?

    “As injustice resounds throughout the nation, we stand united in our resolve to fight for a future free from exploitation and Gender-Based Violence. We refuse to be silenced. It is time to rewrite the narrative, reclaim the sanctity of our educational institutions, and ensure that no student suffers at the hands of those entrusted with their care.

    “Together, let us demand accountability, let us demand justice, and let us pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, where every student can pursue their dreams without fear or intimidation. Join us in our quest for justice. Together, we can make a difference.

    “The court hearing represents a crucial milestone in the pursuit of justice for survivors of GBV and the broader fight against impunity and abuse of power. Through collaborative efforts with FIDA and other stakeholders, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”