FG, ILO Move to Revalidate Workplace Gender Policy to Tackle Discrimination, Violence

By Chinedu Echianu

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s labour sector have met in Abuja to deliberate on the revalidation of the National Gender Workplace Policy, a framework designed to promote the rights of women and girls by eliminating all forms of discrimination, violence, and harassment in workplaces.

The meeting, tagged Stakeholders Workshop on the Revalidation of the National Gender Workplace Policy, was organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Oxfam. Speaking at the event, ILO Country Director, Vanessa Phala, represented by Runo Owosode, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to gender equality in the workplace and commended the Nigerian government for its continued support in advancing women’s rights.

“This policy’s strategic focus on pay equity, prevention of violence and harassment in the work place, affirmative action for women’s leadership, representation and gender responsive work place environment aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals as well as global standards such as the SDGs. The policy also acknowledges and encourages gender mainstreaming as a core value across all sectors. Phala said.

Also addressing participants, the Director of Inspectorate at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Olaolu Olaitan, stressed that the upgrade of the policy document is crucial for ensuring effective enforcement of labour standards.

“This revalidation exercise provides us with a unique opportunity to carefully review the draft policy, strengthen its provisions and ensure that it reflects both our national context and international best practices. Distinguished participants, your presence here today is of great significance, it reaffirms the fact that gender equality/equity in the world of work is not the responsibility of government alone, but a shared commitment that requites the active participation of all stakeholders.” Olaitan stated.

The Minister of Labour and employment, Muhammad Maigari-Dingyadi, had earlier in the year disclosed that a new workplace gender policy is being developed to address current challenges faced by women in the country.