Addressing gender gaps in ending poverty

The disproportionate way poverty affects the female gender with implications for national development makes it important to close gender gaps in order to effectively fight poverty and ensure development.A recent report released by ONE titled, “Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty” showed […]

The disproportionate way poverty affects the female gender with implications for national development makes it important to close gender gaps in order to effectively fight poverty and ensure development.
A recent report released by ONE titled, “Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty” showed that unlocking women’s economic potential could improve the lives of everyone in society.
The report also revealed that poverty and gender inequality go hand in hand be it in the area of health, education or work. In addition, not only are girls and women worse off than those in wealthier countries, but the gender gap in these areas between males and females is greatest in the poorest countries.  
ONE is a campaigning and advocacy organization of more than 6 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
It is in line with this that the organization recently organized a policy forum in Abuja targeting influential voices on women empowerment and civic organizations in Nigeria to create a narrative for putting women at the center of development aspirations in the lead up to the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.
In  addition to stressing the importance of women for development and prosperity in Nigeria.
According to Dr Sipho S. Moyo, ONE Africa’s Executive Director at the event, Nigeria, and other African nations, has to refocus the development agenda on gender equity as a smart means of unleashing the potential for human, social, political and economic development everywhere.
“This being the African Union Year of Women Empowerment, it is our opportunity to seize and promote the advancement of humankind by insisting on policy interventions by our African governments that promote and ensure equal opportunities for women and girls,” she said.
She added that the benefits of investing in girls and women will be felt across all of society because the evidence shows that the social return of investing in girls and women accrues universally to boys and men too.
Founder of Equity Advocates, Ene Ede said : “The informal sector, which is 85% led by the women, is consistent and vital to the sustenance of Nigeria’s economy. If we have a concerted effort to offset the huge historic economic and socio-cultural deficits that women suffer, Nigeria will rise to the top on the global map.”
 During the policy forum ONE launched it’s ‘Poverty is Sexist’ campaign in Nigeria. It is a campaign and online petition calling on world leaders to put girls and women centre-stage in 2015, a year when new development goals will be set.
Some celebrities in the country have already joined in the campaign. Lady Onyeka Onwenu  and Arunma Oteh led other women leaders to sign the online petition.
Women stakeholders who attended the forum decried women’s poor performance during the recent elections and called for a comprehensive national policy on political inclusion for women in the country.
Other issues raised at the policy forum include the need for a comprehensive national policy on political inclusion for women, the need for monitoring mechanisms for funds targeting women development, and increased collaboration and synergy among women’s empowerment groups and champions.
Earlier, a capacity building programme was held for about 30 journalists in the country by ONE to equip them with skills on reporting poverty especially as it affects women and it’s  activities.
Country representative of  ONE, Edwin Daniel-Ikhuoria said the media has a role to play in holding government, non-governmental organizations and the community accountable.
The New Sustainable Development Goals will be unveiled at the United Nations in September and will set out a plan to end extreme poverty by 2030. But that ambition will only be realised if efforts are directed where the need is greatest, in both the poorest countries and to boost the prospects of girls and women, who are disproportionately affected.