By Onwa Ekor
In a bold step to advance gender equality and inclusive governance in the state’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, the Network of Female Professionals in WASH Nigeria (FEMinWASH), has inaugurated its Cross River chapter.
The launch, organised in collaboration with Self Help Africa under the WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), follows a similar rollout in Kano earlier this year.
The event drew participants from top government officials, representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources, the State Water Board, local government authorities, development partners, civil society groups, and youth advocates, a feat which signals broad support for mainstreaming gender in WASH service delivery.
As part of the programme, a two-day gender awareness training was held for key stakeholders, adopting a gender-transformative approach to tackle structural inequalities and harmful norms.
A significant outcome of the session was the development of Gender in WASH Action Plan for integration at state and local levels.
President of FEMinWASH, Dr Bolu Onobolu, said the new chapter would accelerate progress on WASH issues in the state.
“With a chapter of FEMinWASH here in Cross River, made up of women professionals from diverse institutions, supported by the state and our partners, we believe WASH issues in the state will be accelerated, scaled up and sustained to the benefit of all,” she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources and Chairman of the State Task Group (STG) on WASH, Dr Okon Ita, stressed the importance of women’s participation in governance and service delivery.
“Women must be meaningfully involved at every stage of the sector including policy, legislation, planning and implementation.
“Too often, in our villages, women walk long distances to fetch water, facing risks along the way. FEMinWASH must change that story,” he remarked.
Highlighting the significance of the launch, WS4H Programme Manager of Self Help Africa, John Wali, averred that, “one of the key activities under WS4H is to develop a comprehensive State Gender Action Plan.
“Today, with FEMinWASH formally launched in Cross River, we have taken a huge step toward ensuring that the systems are gender-responsive and sustainable,” he added.
Youth Coordinator of FEMinWASH Cross River, Love Odey, stressed the importance of inclusion as she disclosed that “the place of youth cannot be underestimated in any intervention.”
She added that, “if you exclude us, sustainability cannot be guaranteed.”
Director of Administration, Cross River Water Board, Gloria Edet, applauded the organisers of the training for exposing gaps in existing approaches, even as she pledged that the team would take the lessons learnt, into their various communities.
Partners expressed hope that the initiative will empower women and youth as well as transform service delivery in the state.
The newly launched Chapter is also expected to serve as a model for gender-responsive WASH governance in the nation
