Nigeria Validates National Workplace Gender Policy for Fair, Inclusive Workplaces
Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in promoting fair and inclusive work environments with the validation of its National World of Work Gender Policy. This policy, a collaborative effort between the Nigerian government and various stakeholders, aims to close the gender gap, foster inclusion, and safeguard decent work for all.
The policy, developed in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), aligns Nigeria's draft policy framework with local realities and international best practices. It targets vulnerable groups such as informal workers, migrant workers, persons with disabilities, and those with family responsibilities, ensuring no one is left behind.
The policy seeks to eliminate discrimination, violence, and harassment at work, while promoting equity and inclusiveness. It aligns with Nigeria's commitment to ILO Conventions 100, 111, and 190 on equal pay, discrimination, and workplace harassment. Furthermore, it resonates with the Beijing Declaration, AU Gender Policy, and UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 8 on decent work.
The validation of this policy marks a step forward in Nigeria's leadership on workplace equality. With the support of partners like GIZ, ILO, Oxfam, and civil society groups, the policy could serve as a model for the region. Stakeholders are urged to ensure the policy becomes a living framework, transforming Nigerian workplaces into fair, inclusive environments that benefit everyone.
