Benue ACReSAL team in partnership with a consultant engaged by the Federal Project Management Unit of ACReSaL, The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative held a stakeholder meeting to promote gender assessment and gender inclusion action plan in the execution of the project in Benue State. The consultant Is engaged to carry out a study in 12 out of the 19 Northern States and FCT participating in the ACReSAL project. The State Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL Project in Benue State, Bldr. Victor Ama spoke eloquently on the goals and benefits of the ACReSAL Project in all the participating states of the project in the 19 Northern States and FCT.
Bldr. Victor Ama stated that the impact of Climate Change is felt far and wide across the state, especially by the vulnerable group made up of women, youth, children, and people living with disabilities. The State Project Coordinator made a strong case for women and encouraged the NGO to gather a lot of relevant information and opinions of women, youths, and people living with disabilities across the state to help the project team in bringing about progarmmes to improve their livelihoods. Bldr. Victor Ama also stressed the need for all to encourage and engage in tree planting, as a way of cautioning against the effects of Climate Change.
Mrs. Oyetola Kuku from The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative stressed the need to do a needs and gender assessment to identify gender inequalities; inform policy and programmes development; promoting gender mainstreaming and cultural sensitivity.
The NGO stated that the assessment of the methodology to be used would include desk reviews and qualitative and quantitative data collection processes. Mrs. Oyetola revealed that a hybrid approach that combines thematic analysis and content analysis will be used to increase the quality of the research.
Some participants while commending the ACReSAL Project and NGO for organizing the event, stressed the need for gender inclusion in project allocation especially for women, youth, and children since they are most vulnerable.
The event was attended by members of CSOs, representatives of permanent secretaries from the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change as well as those of Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Women Affairs, Youth Group, NAPTIP, Association of People with disabilities, Faith-based organizations, Farmer groups, and media.