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Promoting Women's Participation in Unions in Nigeria

Issue date

Promoting Women's Participation in Trade Union Activities in Nigeria

Executive Summary

Project Description

The Project was aimed at enhancing the capacity of trade unions in Nigeria to address the concerns of women workers and to improve their working conditions in order to reduce discrimination against women in the workplace as well as in wider society. The outcomes include an increase in women's awareness of their rights, the integration of gender equity policies into mainstream union agenda and a rise in the number of women in leadership positions in affiliated unions.

Activities included a series of training workshops designed to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to mainstream gender equity and related issues and provided the opportunity to publicize the NLC Gender Equity Policy and lobby for its implementation.

Capacity-building workshops designed to prepare women for leadership challenges, develop their negotiating skills, promote reproductive health as well as enhance their understanding and awareness of gender issues, also provided the participants with the opportunity to develop strategies to ensure the systematic integration of gender issues and concerns into collective bargaining agenda. The workshop series concluded with a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop.

Other activities included establishing contact with women journalists and the media to advocate a positive image and perception of women and women's issues and gender sensitive reporting. The contacts with NGOs led to the joint development of publicity material and the adoption of joint campaigns on important issues such as the Bill on Violence against Women. The collaborative relationship with the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Ministry of Labour, inter alia, strengthened the case for the ratification of the ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection and for domestication of CEDAW.

Regional networking was a success with women trade unionists from neighbouring countries taking part in activities co-sponsored by the Canadian

Labour Congress.

Partnership

The Project objectives were achieved through a successful partnership with TUC Aid (UK), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Ministries of Women Affairs, Labour and Productivity and the relevant NGOs.

Developmental Value and Effectiveness of Project Strategy

The knowledge and skills acquired through the Project and amendments to union constitutions have enabled women trade unionists to assert their rights and make an effective contribution to policy formulation and implementation, especially, on issues of particular concern to them.

Management and Implementation

The Project was implemented in close collaboration with TUC Aid, which made funds available on a quarterly basis and monitored its progress through visits, regular contacts and reports. TUC Aid ensured that narrative and financial reports were submitted to the DfID in accordance with guidelines set by the Department. The collaboration with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which co-sponsored some regional events and the National Gender Conference, proved to be a valuable experience.

The close collaboration NGOs on a number of issues including women's rights, the Bill on violence against women, ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection and the domestication of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) strengthened the partnership. The Chairperson and Secretary of the NLC National Women Commission participated in a number of NGO activities during the period.

The Project Steering Committee (PSC) oversaw the implementation of the project. It reviewed the progress on a regular basis and ensured that the Pogress Reports were in line with the set guidelines. The PSC included representatives of NLC leadership and members of NLC National Women Commission.

Lessons learned

Project level lessons

o The Project provided a useful focus for the NLC Gender Unit and other union structures such as the National Women Commission and Women's Committees to collaborate closely on women's concerns.

o The firm commitment of the NLC leadership to the Project was vital to its success, as it ensured that there was no resistance from any quarters.

o The positive impact of gender awareness on leadership proved critical to the success and needs to be sustained over time.

o The availability of NLC Gender Equity Policy material contributed to the increased understanding of women's rights and, in turn, enabled women trade unionists to participate actively and effectively in debates on gender equality.

o The Progress on women's rights and on equality is critically dependent on the support and co-operation of male colleagues, especially, those holding key leadership positions.

o The choice of venues and locations for events organised under the Project ensured the participation of trade unionists from all areas and zones.

o Follow-up activities organised by project participants with financial assistance from the Project made it possible to amplify the impact.

o The NLC has to put mechanisms in place to enforce affiliates' compliance with provisions of the Gender Equity Policy

II. Sector level or Thematic lessons

o Training Workshops on IT skills highlighted the need for developing IT and Internet skills.

o Issues of specific relevance to women - reproductive health with emphasis on family planning and leadership skills - needed to be included in training sessions.

III. General development lessons

o There is growing recognition of the vital role that women can play in trade unions.

o Action on gender equality and empowerment of women within unions is critical to the future sustainability of trade unions.

o It is possible to mitigate the effects of the domination of public life by males through strategies based on gender mainstreaming at policy level.

o Advocacy of women's rights as human rights needs to continue, as they are vital to sustainable development.

A. Equity, social inclusion and the strengthening of the social capital; participation of the poor; enhancement of the rights of the poor; influence and advocacy

Gender equality and equity and the need for social inclusion were addressed at various levels from the perspectives of women's rights and empowerment. Training programmes, especially those in IT skills and Reproductive Health contributed to the strengthening of social capital. Women in Nigeria are among the poorest in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, although the Project did not address the rights of the poor per se, it did focus on a significant proportion of the poor in Nigeria. All educational and information material produced under the Project reflected the need for respect of women's rights and for advancement of their status in society. Close collaboration and networking developed under the Project will ensure the continuity of advocacy work.

B. How the project adds value to current knowledge and practice (e.g. through innovative techniques)

  • The identified special needs of Gender Officers and national women officers were addressed through specialised workshops.
  • Training of Trainers Workshops made it possible to increase the ranks of women trainers so that more training programmes could be sustained over the long-term.
  • The interactive session with the media provided publicity for project activities and those of the NLC National Women Commission.
  • Networking with NGOs and close collaboration with government departments made it possible to extend the impact of the Project beyond trade union circles.

C. How the project is contributing to a reduction in poverty

The empowerment of women, through heightened awareness and understanding of their economic, social and civil rights, has stood them in good stead in asserting their rights and entitlements. Moreover, the knowledge and skills (IT Skills, negotiating skills, for example) acquired through the Project have enabled them to make a more useful and effective contribution at the bargaining table. The Gender Officer (Project participant) in the NUPENG succeeded in negotiating an agreement allowing women to go on three-month maternity leave without their entitlement to annual leave being affected. On the whole, they are now in a better position to demand better pay and working conditions for themselves and others, which, in turn, helps them to work their way out of poverty.

D. How the project has contributed to DFID's country and target strategies

Project activities made a useful contribution to the DFID strategies in Nigeria, more specifically, to the achievement of its objectives on gender equality, rights and entitlements, HIV/AIDS, reduction of vulnerability and conflict. The Project goal was to reduce discrimination against women through increased awareness and understanding of their rights, thereby enabling them to play an effective role in development. This approach ties in with the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) of the Federal Government of Nigeria supported by the DFID. Project participants had the opportunity to review the Progress Report of the Millennium Development Goals through an interactive session with the Special Adviser to the President on the MDGs and offered suggestions by way of recommendations on achieving the goals. Training and the awareness-raising on Gender Equality and Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and quality healthcare will contribute to the elimination of disparities in education and the reduction in maternal deaths. The NLC Federal Capital Territory Women Committee have intervened to support the victims of violence - one case involving the rape of a five-year old girl and two cases concerning domestic violence inflicted on a seven-year old girl and a woman. The organisation of project activities necessitated the close collaboration between the NLC and its affiliates, on the one hand, and a number of civil society organisations and government agencies on the other, which would go a long way in strengthening their links, generating synergy and avoiding conflict of interests.

E. Changes that occurred as a result of Project Activities (outcomes and impact)

As a result of project activities and the emphasis on the need for unions to take steps to ensure the integration of gender issues, some changes have been recorded.

  • Some unions - (The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) - have appointed gender officers.
  • Some have taken steps to create women's committees. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) approved the setting up of women committees at state level of the Union.
  • Reviews of union constitutions have taken place, paving the way for women trade unionists to play a more effective role in decision-making structures and processes. NUPENG reviewed its constitution to recognize the Chairperson of the National Women Committee of the Union as an ex-officio National Executive Council (NEC) member. The NCSU reviewed its constitution and created an additional position of Vice Chairperson in the State Councils of the Union to be occupied by female members. Following a review of the constitution of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, (MHWUN), the Chairperson of the National Women Committee of the union is now a Vice President of the Union and member of the Central Working Committee and National Executive Council. The amendment to the Constitution of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation (AUPCTRE) has made Chairperson of the National Women Committee a Vice president of the Union.
  • Women emerged as leaders of their unions during some union Delegates' Conferences held during the period, signifying an increase in the number of women in the leadership of affiliates.
  • A draft policy on sexual harassment has been formulated and submitted to the Gender Unit of the NLC for further work on it before presentation to the 9th Congress of the NLC.
  • A number of NLC affiliates are likely to sponsor motions based on the recommendations from the Project at the 9th Delegates Conference in 2007.
  • Work is in progress for adoption of the Bill on violence against women in parliament, for ratification of ILO Convention 183 and for domestication of the CEDAW.

Risk/Opportunity Assessment

The Project was not faced with any risk. There were no objections to the focus of the programme from male trade unionists, and Project activities were successfully completed in all regions of the Federation. Moreover, the leadership of the NLC gave the project its maximum support and protected its focus from criticism.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The Progress was monitored by TUC Aid in close liaison with the Programme Officer through, visits, reports and regular contacts. Recommendations from the independent evaluator were acted upon. The NLC Gender Unit will ensure that knowledge, experience and best practice emanating from the Project are appropriately incorporated in future initiatives and work collaboratively with the group of women trainers to achieve this.

Information, Dissemination and Networking

Publicity and educational material on women's rights , sexual harassment, violence against women, maternity protection etc were widely circulated outside stakeholder circles. In addition, project activities were publicized through networking with other women's organisations, NGOs and women activists within the West African Sub-region. Some project activities received coverage in newspapers in Nigeria. Moreover, the TUC - UK partner - publicized project activities through reports to TUC Aid Trustees, General Council Report to TUC Congress and periodic Progress Reports to the International Development Matters - electronic newsletter - and to the International Section of the TUC website.

Regional networking proved to be a success with women trade unionists (Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Sierra Leone, Ghana Trades Union Congress, Ghana) from neighbouring countries taking part in regional activities and sharing knowledge and experiences with one another.

Joint work has gone a long way in raising public awareness on a number of issues, including women's rights, the Bill on violence against women, ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection and the domestication of CEDAW.

The Ministry of Labour has commenced advocacy visits to stake holders to canvas support for the ratification of the ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Rights. Interactions with Ministry of women affairs during the period also include our participation in the 16 days of activism on violence against women and the Stakeholders Review meeting on the implementation of the AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa organised by the Ministry. .

Conclusion

The project has been successful in enhancing the capacity of trade unions to reflect the concerns of women workers and improve working conditions through a well-designed programme of training and education activities and campaigning and networking. The long-term sustainability of the impact of the Project will critically depend on the commitment of the NLC and its affiliates to the Project goal - elimination of discrimination against women in the workplace and in wider society and on the availability of resources.

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