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By Oboh Linus, Lafia
The Beacon Youth Initiative, in collaboration with Education as Vaccines, has demanded the inclusion of women, Young Girls, and Persons with Disabilities in disaster preparedness and response in Nasarawa State.
Envoh Emmanuel-Okolo, Executive Director, Beacon Youth Initiative, made this demand during an Advocacy visit and presentation of survey on Gender-inclusive Disaster Preparedness and Response in Nasarawa to the line ministries in Lafia.
According to him, the survey is part of the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) project in Nasarawa State, which aimed at seeking a stronger commitment on the part of the Government for the inclusion and participation of women in disaster plans.
He said that the study, which was carried out using informant interviews and group focus discussion methodology, has identified gender disparities in disaster preparedness and response in Nasarawa State.
Emmanuel-Okolo noted that the study has exposed the vulnerability of women, young girls, and women with disabilities, given that the state was one of the disaster-prone states in terms of flooding, drought, and communal crisis.
“Over time, we observed that when it comes to inclusion and participation of women in disaster preparedness and response, most times they are not being carried along.
“Based on the principle of inclusion that says ‘There is nothing for us without us,’ we decided to carry out this study, engage with the line ministries to ensure that women, young girls, and women with disabilities are being included in the disaster plan.
“We want to see how their voices can be heard, be included in key decision-making processes, implementation, and monitoring of some of these programmes. We don’t want them to be left behind,” he emphasised.
He said the report, which was presented to the line ministries, has outlined some gender disparities and provided practical recommendations essential for developing a more gender inclusive approach for disaster preparedness and response in Nasarawa state.
Also speaking during the advocacy visit and presentation of the survey on Gender-inclusive Disaster Preparedness and Response to the line ministries were Commissioners from the Ministries.
Mr Yakubu Kwanta, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Alhassan, commended the Beacon Youth Initiative and partners for developing the survey, noting that it would guide the Ministry on gender inclusion as relates to disaster plans.
“As we support the development of this document, we are also going to support the implementation of this document so that the document doesn’t become a mere paper sitting on the shelf. We will not only support, but we will also work with you,” he assured.
Mrs Atinuke Chammang, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, while commending Beacon Youth Initiative and partners, said the ministry was committed to ensuring that climate change was included in its budget.
“Women are disproportionately impacted by disasters of all kinds; our lives are being threatened, girls can no longer go to school, and we can no longer feed well because of the impacts of climate change.
“So, it’s time to empower our women, girls, PWDs, and include them in the climate change plan so that we can have results,” she said.
Pharm. Emmanuel Yonah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, said the survey was an eye opener for the ministry and promised to include women, young girls, and PWDs in the disaster preparedness and response going forward.
On her part, Dr Margaret Elayo, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, represented by the Director of Administration and Supply, Mr Musa Aboki, while pledging to include women with disabilities in the sanitation exercise, said she was passionate about gender inclusion.
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