The President of the Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF), Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin, has emphasised the importance of integrating a gender perspective into all aspects of policy-making.
During her speech at a summit, Adebakin highlighted the crucial role that gender mainstreaming plays in advancing gender equality and empowering women in society.
“Gender mainstreaming is not just a strategy, but a transformative process that promotes fairness, enhances the effectiveness of policies, and fosters economic growth and development,” she said.
Adebakin went on to discuss the key benefits of gender mainstreaming, including promoting fairness by ensuring that women’s voices are heard and addressed in all policy areas.
“By identifying and addressing barriers to women’s participation in society, we pave the way for equitable opportunities and outcomes,” she stated.
She also underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, civil society, private sectors, and international organizations to advance gender mainstreaming efforts.
“We must work together to share best practices, build partnerships, and foster dialogue to create lasting change,” she said.
Adebakin also acknowledged the challenges that come with mainstreaming gender, such as deeply ingrained stereotypes and biases, limited resources, and a lack of commitment from some stakeholders.
However, she emphasized that overcoming these obstacles is crucial to achieving gender equality and empowering women in society.
“Gender mainstreaming is not just a women’s issue, but a human rights issue. It is about creating a society where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive,” she said.