Philippines Offers Nigeria Gender Equality Blueprint, Links Compliance to Govt Funding
The Philippines has challenged Nigeria to move beyond policy declarations on gender equality and strengthen its laws, institutions and accountability mechanisms to ensure that women’s inclusion becomes an enforceable reality
Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Mersole Mellejor, urged Nigeria to move beyond mere declarations of gender equality and to strengthen its laws, institutions and accountability mechanisms to ensure women's inclusion becomes enforceable. During a high-level dialogue in Abuja, Mellejor highlighted that gender mainstreaming in the Philippines is backed by sanctions and financial consequences for non-compliance.
He explained that the Philippines tied compliance to gender-responsive policies with government funding, making gender mainstreaming a matter of institutional responsibility. Nigeria could draw from the Philippine model to increase women's participation in governance, diplomacy, leadership and national development. Mellejor also praised Nigeria's progress in gender inclusion but emphasized that its size, diversity and social complexity should not be obstacles to equality.
He identified Nigeria's youthful population and expanding digital, creative and technology sectors as opportunities for economic transformation and deeper cooperation. The dialogue discussed the need to close the gap between gender policies and their implementation, with a focus on stronger institutional structures, legislative frameworks and accountability measures.
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