The federal government through the federal ministry of Water resources and sanitation in partnership with the world bank and other critical stakeholders organized a gender mainstreaming and gender based violence (GBV) successes stories dissemination workshop under the transforming irrigation management in Nigeria(TRIMING) projects with the theme”From tradition to Transformation”.
The minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, in his keynote address emphasized that the TRIMING project was designed to enhance irrigation systems and promote integrated water resources management with gender and social safeguards as core component.
According to Utsev the project has transformed women,youth and the vulnerable groups from being marginalized to becoming vital contributors in agriculture and water governance.
He highlighted the achievement of the project including the development of GBV Action plans across the schemes for risk mitigation and survivor support,women leadership in water users association(WUAs) enhancing inclusive empowerment of women through active roles in irrigation management.
Engr Hauwa Sadique Mohammed,deputy director irrigation delivering the welcome address on behalf of the permanent secretary ministry of water resources and sanitation Mr Richard Pheelangwah noted that the workshop is a key milestone in advancing inclusivity,equity and safety,particularly for women,girls and vulnerable groups,in the TRIMING project.
The minister appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the world bank and the project monitoring unit for their support in driving TRIMING”s success.
He urged the replication of its gender and GBV initiative in other projects and emphasized that achieving a gender equitable, GBV -free society requires ongoing commitment and collaboration.