Centre for Gender Equality and Research
The Centre for Gender Equality and Research (CGER) promotes gender equity through research, advocacy, education, and policy reform. CGER conducts research to identify systemic inequalities, organizes capacity-building workshops for policymakers and leaders, and runs public awareness campaigns against gender-based violence and biases. CGER works towards creating more inclusive economies and equitable societies through partnerships with international agencies, academia, and grassroots organizations.
The Africa Leadership Foundation (ALF) promotes women’s rights and gender equality through initiatives and networks such as the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Network. The newly established ALF Centre for Gender Equality and Research (CGER) will spearhead ALF’s gender-related efforts.
GENDER AND RESEARCH ANALYTICS
The CGER conducts research on women's rights and gender issues to inform effective development policies. Its focus areas include health, leadership, and economic empowerment, with research efforts aimed at advancing women's rights across various sectors.
a. Research on Social Investment Priority of Africans and Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (2021): ACGEQ and OXFAM conducted a study on gender equality in COVID-19 response, focusing on unpaid care work and its impact on economic empowerment and poverty reduction, to inform policy advocacy with the African Union and other stakeholders.
b. Creation of the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index (MPSI): ACGEQ, Plan International, and the African Union collaborated on a project to develop a Scorecard and Index Framework for assessing State Parties' implementation of the Maputo Protocol, evaluating progress on women's rights in Africa.
a. Research on Social Investment Priority of Africans and Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (2021): ACGEQ and OXFAM conducted a study on gender equality in COVID-19 response, focusing on unpaid care work and its impact on economic empowerment and poverty reduction, to inform policy advocacy with the African Union and other stakeholders.
b. Creation of the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index (MPSI): ACGEQ, Plan International, and the African Union collaborated on a project to develop a Scorecard and Index Framework for assessing State Parties' implementation of the Maputo Protocol, evaluating progress on women's rights in Africa.
GIRLS IN STEM PROGRAMME (G-STEM)
The G-STEM program targets senior secondary school girls to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields by complementing their knowledge, deepening understanding, building interest, and supporting transition to higher education.
GENDER TECH PROGRAM (G-TECH)
ACGEQ bridges the digital gender divide by promoting digital literacy and ICT skills among women, enhancing their employability, learning, and livelihood, and ultimately reducing poverty.
POLICY DIALOGUES AND ADVOCACY
The centre organizes policy dialogues with stakeholders to review and reform gender policies, identifying gaps and providing recommendations. One such dialogue focused on reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in Africa.
Strategic Advocacy for Maternal and Neonatal Reduction in Africa (2020/21)
ACGEQ, in partnership with various organizations, coordinated a regional consultation to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Africa. The project involved identifying recommendations and then building partnerships and advocating for policy change, including linking traditional birth attendants to healthcare systems and passing the MPDSR Bill in Nigeria. An advocacy document was developed and shared with key government offices.
Strategic Advocacy for Maternal and Neonatal Reduction in Africa (2020/21)
ACGEQ, in partnership with various organizations, coordinated a regional consultation to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Africa. The project involved identifying recommendations and then building partnerships and advocating for policy change, including linking traditional birth attendants to healthcare systems and passing the MPDSR Bill in Nigeria. An advocacy document was developed and shared with key government offices.
Gender Research and Analytics
The Africa Leadership Foundation (ALF) has conducted several gender-related research studies and published over five research papers on the topic. Some are listed below:
i. ALF and the Empowering Women in Agriculture Project (2018-2019):
EWA Project aims to recognize and support African women farmers. ALF partnered with EWA and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to conduct studies on women's roles in Nigerian agriculture, including a survey on their involvement in the agricultural value chain.
ii. Field Visit to Public Health Facilities on Maternal Health Services(2010)
ALF and dRPC organized a study tour for 20 health administrators from 7 Northern Nigerian states to share best practices and learn from successful maternal health programs, including family planning services.
iii. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Cape Town (1998)
The 1st AWF, themed "Leadership and Communication for Empowerment," focused on assessing women's progress in leadership, strengthening networks to enhance women's decision-making roles and a resolve to create a collaborative space for women's networks to discuss and partner.
iv. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Abidjan (1999)
The 2nd AWF discussed the index of and improving women's status in Africa. The meeting aimed to broaden support for the Index, explore ways to deepen its impact, and identify strategies for using it as a negotiating platform for women's advancement and leadership in Africa.
v. Women and Issues – Radio Programme (2000/01)
A radio program, "Women and Issues," was created to discuss gender inequalities and African women's status, covering topics like women's rights, violence, economic empowerment, education, and conflict resolution. The program featured stories from various African countries and profiles of influential women to inspire future female leaders.
vi. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Tunis, Tunisia (2001)
The 3rd Africa Women's Forum, themed "Women and Conflict Management in Africa, urged governments to implement CEDAW and protect women's rights. It highlighted the negative impact of discrimination on conflicts and African women, and celebrated women's contributions to peace processes in various African countries.
vii. Africa Women’s Forum (AWF) – Ota
The 4th AWF held in 2002, focused on African women's roles in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), identifying gaps and making recommendations. The outcomes were later discussed at a parliamentary meeting to raise awareness and mobilize African parliamentarians for NEPAD's implementation.
viii. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF) – Abuja
The 5th AWF, held in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on women's leadership in combating HIV/AIDS, collaborating with UNDP, Action-Aid, UNAIDS, and NACA to develop strategies for women to lead efforts against the pandemic.
The various research and projects generated the following publications:
1. 2002: Women and Peace in Nigeria: Strategy for Sustainable Development
2. 2002: Regional Conference for African Parliamentarians on Recent Strategic Development Initiatives in Africa.
3. 2001: Farm House Dialogue -Women, Youths and Good Governance.
4. 1998: Africa Women’s Forum - Communication and Leadership for Empowerment
5. 1997: Africa Women’s Forum - Empowering Women for the 21st Century: The Challenges of Politics, Business, Development and Leadership
6. 1993: Margaret Ekpo: Lioness in Nigerian Politics
i. ALF and the Empowering Women in Agriculture Project (2018-2019):
EWA Project aims to recognize and support African women farmers. ALF partnered with EWA and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to conduct studies on women's roles in Nigerian agriculture, including a survey on their involvement in the agricultural value chain.
ii. Field Visit to Public Health Facilities on Maternal Health Services(2010)
ALF and dRPC organized a study tour for 20 health administrators from 7 Northern Nigerian states to share best practices and learn from successful maternal health programs, including family planning services.
iii. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Cape Town (1998)
The 1st AWF, themed "Leadership and Communication for Empowerment," focused on assessing women's progress in leadership, strengthening networks to enhance women's decision-making roles and a resolve to create a collaborative space for women's networks to discuss and partner.
iv. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Abidjan (1999)
The 2nd AWF discussed the index of and improving women's status in Africa. The meeting aimed to broaden support for the Index, explore ways to deepen its impact, and identify strategies for using it as a negotiating platform for women's advancement and leadership in Africa.
v. Women and Issues – Radio Programme (2000/01)
A radio program, "Women and Issues," was created to discuss gender inequalities and African women's status, covering topics like women's rights, violence, economic empowerment, education, and conflict resolution. The program featured stories from various African countries and profiles of influential women to inspire future female leaders.
vi. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF)- Tunis, Tunisia (2001)
The 3rd Africa Women's Forum, themed "Women and Conflict Management in Africa, urged governments to implement CEDAW and protect women's rights. It highlighted the negative impact of discrimination on conflicts and African women, and celebrated women's contributions to peace processes in various African countries.
vii. Africa Women’s Forum (AWF) – Ota
The 4th AWF held in 2002, focused on African women's roles in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), identifying gaps and making recommendations. The outcomes were later discussed at a parliamentary meeting to raise awareness and mobilize African parliamentarians for NEPAD's implementation.
viii. Africa Women’s Forum(AWF) – Abuja
The 5th AWF, held in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on women's leadership in combating HIV/AIDS, collaborating with UNDP, Action-Aid, UNAIDS, and NACA to develop strategies for women to lead efforts against the pandemic.
The various research and projects generated the following publications:
1. 2002: Women and Peace in Nigeria: Strategy for Sustainable Development
2. 2002: Regional Conference for African Parliamentarians on Recent Strategic Development Initiatives in Africa.
3. 2001: Farm House Dialogue -Women, Youths and Good Governance.
4. 1998: Africa Women’s Forum - Communication and Leadership for Empowerment
5. 1997: Africa Women’s Forum - Empowering Women for the 21st Century: The Challenges of Politics, Business, Development and Leadership
6. 1993: Margaret Ekpo: Lioness in Nigerian Politics
Political Leadership Development (PLED
PLED is focused on building the capacity of women for effective participation and leadership development. Some of the projects under the PLED program include;
I. Gender Mainstreaming and Development Planning Workshop (2005)
ALF organized a workshop for Shell Petroleum's staff on gender mainstreaming, focusing on sensitizing participants to gender concepts, identifying gaps, and integrating gender into community development planning.
II. Nigerian Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG):
ALF and Shell Petroleum organized the National Women Peace Congress, launching the National Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG) to promote peace management and conflict resolution. NAWOPEG led a nationwide anti-violence campaign and trained women mediators in conflict transformation skills.
I. Gender Mainstreaming and Development Planning Workshop (2005)
ALF organized a workshop for Shell Petroleum's staff on gender mainstreaming, focusing on sensitizing participants to gender concepts, identifying gaps, and integrating gender into community development planning.
II. Nigerian Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG):
ALF and Shell Petroleum organized the National Women Peace Congress, launching the National Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG) to promote peace management and conflict resolution. NAWOPEG led a nationwide anti-violence campaign and trained women mediators in conflict transformation skills.
Women Economic Empowerment Initiative (WEEI)
In addition to the various programs and projects highlighted above, women have been beneficiaries of other programs by the foundation such as;
Entrepreneurship Training for SMEs and MSMEs:
The Africa Leadership Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Centre provides business training, advisory services, and funding access to reduce unemployment and poverty. It has trained over 16,800 women, providing access to credit and supporting entrepreneurship, particularly through government initiatives like AGSMEIS.
Entrepreneurship Training for SMEs and MSMEs:
The Africa Leadership Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Centre provides business training, advisory services, and funding access to reduce unemployment and poverty. It has trained over 16,800 women, providing access to credit and supporting entrepreneurship, particularly through government initiatives like AGSMEIS.
ALF and the Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) Project
ALF is dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women socio-economically. Through strategic partnerships, research initiatives, and training programs, ALF advances women's development. Notably, women made up 61.1% of ALF's trainees and 32% of those trained under AGSMEIS, underscoring ALF's commitment to inclusivity and women's empowerment.