CLEEN Foundation holds policy dialogue on gender accountability, transparency in Sokoto

The CLEEN Foundation has hosted a two-day policy dialogue at the Dankani Guest Palace Hotel in Sokoto on gender accountability and transparency in the implementation of the 2019 Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Sokoto State.

The policy conversation centred on the individuals and governmental organisations tasked with carrying out the ACJL, 2019’s provisions, especially those about gender transparency and accountability. This, the foundation revealed would assist in resolving the discrepancy in the application of ACJL and enhance the criminal justice system in Nigeria’s Sokoto state.

Participating in the dialogue were the following key players in the criminal justice value chain: the Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Service, the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry for Women and Children Affairs, the Legal Aid Council, FIDA, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the ACJL CSOs Observatory Group.

To develop a path for advancing gender inclusion, accountability, and openness in the State, the policy statement is said to be an essential instrument.

This is as gender accountability underscores the necessity for public decision-makers to continuously contemplate and assess the consequences of their actions on the equality, needs, and interests of women, men, and children especially in Sokoto State.

In its opening and welcoming remarks, Dr Gabriel Akinremi, on behalf of Peter Maduoma, the Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, noted the importance of a “Shared commitment to advancing justice, equality, and integrity within the Nigeria criminal justice systems.”

He emphasized that “Gender equality in criminal justice is not just a matter of fairness but also essential for the credibility and effectiveness of the system while noting that women and individuals from marginalized genders often face unique challenges and biases within the criminal justice process.”

The acting executive director further revealed in its opening remarks that “Transparency is the bedrock of democratic governance and justice.”

He stated further, “When the processes and decisions of criminal justice are transparent, they invite scrutiny, encourage fairness, and deter misconduct. Transparency ensures that justice is not only done but is seen to be done, maintaining the public’s trust in our legal institutions.”

During the two-day stakeholders policy dialogue on gender accountability and transparency in Sokoto state, a series of of challenges were identified by the participants of the dialogue. These challenges include:

1. There is inadequate awareness of the laws (Gender Policy, VAPP Law, etc.).
2. Inadequate training of law enforcement agencies on the importance of gender lens in discharging their responsibilities.
3. Inadequate collaboration and synergy among law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the administration of the criminal justice system in the state.
4. Gender disparities in the criminal justice system regarding workforce, health condition, career enhancement, and promotions.
5. The need to make the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (chaired by the Chief Judge) more functional.
6. Inadequate budgetary provisions for the MDAs on the implementation of ACJL and relevant policies in the State.
7. Inadequate monitoring and evaluation of critical stakeholders in the administration of justice

However, eight recommendations were presented to solve these challenges by the stakeholders present at the two-day policy dialogue. The recommendations include:

1. Review the Sokoto State ACJL to make it robust and capture current realities in the state.
2. Ensure the effective implementation of existing laws, policies and regulations.
3. To work with all MDAs of Sokoto State to ensure that the budget is more Gender responsive.
4. Advocate for the timely disbursement of funds to support gender-responsive initiatives.
5. Strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders involved in promoting gender equality and women’s rights.
6. Strengthen the existing systems for collecting, monitoring and reporting data related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
7. Engage in advocacy with relevant stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of gender equality initiatives.
8. Develop an implementation strategy on gender justice and responsive initiatives.

After the two-day stakeholders policy dialogue on gender accountability and transparency in Sokoto state, the participants, in its robust discussion, outlined several approaches and methods that would be used to attain gender responsiveness and justice.

The participants at the end of the policy dialogue concurred that putting the recommendations into practice by the applicable regulations will enhance Sokoto State’s inclusion and gender responsiveness.