By : Gbenga Akingbule.
The German Cooperation and the European Union (EU) on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Borno State in advancing inclusive, gender-responsive policies that translate into real opportunities for women and girls.
Gatekeepers News reports that German and EU delegation led by Dr. Karin Jansen – Head of Cooperation, Germany Embassy and Massimo De luca, Head of Cooperation at EU Delegation and ECOWAS commended the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs And Social Development and the multi – sectorial Gender Advocacy Committee for their sustained efforts at promoting gender equality, strengthening inclusive governance, and advancing policies that protect and empower women and girls across the state.
This was disclosed during a roundtable meeting with EU donors, the German Embassy and the multi-stakeholder Gender Advocacy Committee , held at the Ministry of Women Affairs And Social Development Auditorium in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital .
The meeting which was hosted by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development centered on achievements recorded by the multi-stakeholder Gender Advocacy Committee and projections for 2026 which include Women Economic Empowerment through private sector engagement, Advocacy on reserves seats for women and Advocacy on activation of resource center for aspiring women leaders.
According to German Embassy and EU delegation ” We are already seeing encouraging results: stronger coordination among state actors, increased leadership and ownership by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and growing interest in public–private partnerships to scale women’s empowerment initiatives sustainably.
” Gender inequality in Borno State is not a marginal issue. It affects peacebuilding, recovery, social cohesion, and long-term development outcomes. This is why the partnership between the Ministry, the Gender Advocacy Committee, and the SEPIN SUSI Programme, supported by the German Government and the European Union, has focused deliberately on systems change, not stand-alone activities.
Through SEPIN SUSI, we have supported a Gender Advocacy Roundtable that brought together women in public office, male allies, civil society, legislators, traditional institutions, academia, and the media. This engagement was not symbolic, it was strategic. It strengthened capacities for gender-responsive planning and budgeting, while building consensus across institutions on the importance of women’s political inclusion.” Dr. Jansen said
The delegation revealed that ” Germany and the European Union remain firmly committed to supporting Borno State in advancing inclusive, gender-responsive policies that translate into real opportunities for women and girls.
” Let me conclude by reaffirming a shared belief: when women participate meaningfully in leadership and decision-making, communities become more resilient, institutions more responsive, and development more sustainable.” The delegation concluded.
