By Stephen Adeleye.
In a significant step towards promoting gender equality in education, the Kogi Government has initiated efforts to domesticate the Gender in Education Policy for the effective implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state.
The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, declared the Technical Session for the Drafting of the State Gender in Education Policy open on Tuesday in Lokoja.
While addressing the participants, the commissioner stated that the initiative was a critical step by the State Government to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment and ensure gender equality in education.
Hon. Jones, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alaji, emphasized that the policy would address the unique challenges faced by girls and women in accessing quality education in the state.
“By domesticating this policy, the Kogi State Government seeks to bridge the gender gap in education, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity for all.
“Therefore, I have no doubt that at the end of this technical session, we would have a policy draft document that is credible and worthwhile for implementation in Kogi,” he said.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged participants to contribute their expertise to ensuring that Kogi develops a comprehensive and formidable Gender in Education Policy, that would positively impact the state’s educational sector.
In his remarks, the AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello, commended the state government for its commitment to gender-responsive education reforms.
Bello said that the AGILE project had been instrumental in improving girls’ access to education, reducing barriers to learning, and empowering young women with life skills.
He assured stakeholders that the Kogi AGILE team would continue to work collaboratively with government agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that gender policies translate into tangible results.
The AGILE coordinator further stressed the need for effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress and make necessary policy adjustments.
The technical session will run for a week, with participants including representatives from the academia, Ministries of Education and Women Affairs, SUBEB, NGOs, CSOs and other key stakeholders.
Also speaking, Dr. Elizabeth Animoku, the Director of Educational Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Kogi Ministry of Education, noted that the policy already exists at the National level but needs to be domesticated in the State.
Dr. Animoku, who also serves as the State Coordinator for Drafting the Gender in Education Policy, explained that the policy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which aims to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls while ensuring equal rights and opportunities.
According to her, the key objectives of the Gender in Education Policy include: Eliminating gender disparities in education,Promoting gender equality, and Addressing gender stereotypes that limit the potential of both girls and boys.
“The Gender in Education Policy aims to promote equality and eliminate disparities in education, ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, have equal access to quality education.
“The policy is not just a National initiative but an International commitment. Domesticating it in Kogi will position the state for greater support from international donor partners and stakeholders,”* she said.
She emphasized that the policy cuts across all levels of education, including basic, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and second-chance education for girls.
Dr Animoku added that once domesticated, it would play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the AGILE project in the state.
