IWMI Strengthens Stakeholders’ Capacity for Gender Mainstreaming in Nigeria’s Water Sector

Under the CGIAR Policy Innovations Science Program, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) convened a stakeholders’ training workshop on gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s water sector to strengthen institutional capacity for gender-responsive analysis, planning, budgeting and implementation of water-related projects. 

The workshop, held in Ibadan, builds on findings from a recent capacity needs assessment conducted as part of a broader study on gender analysis of water policies and governance in Nigeria, with case studies in Oyo and Nasarawa States.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Alan Nicol, the Policy Innovations Lead at IWMI emphasized that the training represents IWMI’s commitment under the Program to move beyond discussions on gender mainstreaming to practical, on-the-ground action in Nigeria’s water sector.

Nicol highlighted that current climate extremes, growing water demand, and pressures across food, domestic, and industrial uses make gender-responsive water governance more urgent than ever. 

He expressed hope that the workshop would lay the foundation for sustained partnership and long-term support for gender integration in Nigeria’s water sector.

In her remarks,the General Manager, Oyo State Water Corporation, Mrs. Oluyinka Shotonwa-Roagess underscored that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet many Nigerians still lack safe and reliable water services due to governance and equity challenges. 

She indicated that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of water collection, with negative consequences for their health, education, and livelihoods. 

"Integrating gender perspectives into water governance is essential to ensure inclusive planning, implementation, and decision-making processes, she said.

The capacity assessment as explained by Ms. Sarah Appiah, Senior Research Officer (IWMI) in her opening presentation revealed persistent gaps in knowledge and technical skills on gender mainstreaming, coordination, budgeting, and implementation mechanisms across water and gender-related ministries, departments, and agencies at both federal and state levels. 

Appiah said while many institutions have gender focal persons, the integration of gender issues into programmes, projects and policies remains limited.

"These findings informed the development of targeted, context-specific training modules designed to meet the demands of the stakeholders and challenges in mainstreaming gender within the water sector," she said.

She stressed that the training sought to strengthen the capacity of gender focal points and technical staff to enhance their knowledge on gender approaches and tools for translating national gender equality commitments into real impacts.

Building Capacity for Gender-Responsive Water Governance and Programs

The stakeholders were drawn from water, agriculture and gender-related ministries, departments and agencies, researchers, academia, civil society organisations, and farmer organisation groups.

IWMI’s Country Focal Point for Nigeria, Dr Charity Osei-Amponsah, emphasized that effective gender mainstreaming requires more than technical knowledge. 

She noted that leadership, communication, negotiation and continuous advocacy are critical for driving institutional change and buy-in for gender responsive budgeting and action.

Osei-Amponsah also highlighted the suite of gender and water training modules developed by IWMI to support practitioners in overcoming operational and policy-level barriers. 

The full day training was conducted by Dr. Osei-Amponsah and covered seven key modules including foundational concepts of gender, gender analysis tools, gender action planning, gender-responsive budgeting, digital literacy and monitoring and evaluation of gender programs. 

Participants actively engaged in discussions on institutional bottlenecks, data limitations, financing gaps, and cultural barriers that continue to constrain gender mainstreaming in the sector. 

The workshop created space for stakeholders to propose practical solutions for strengthening coordination, accountability, and financing for gender-responsive water programming.

Stakeholder Reflections and Expected Outcomes

Reflecting on the training, Ms. Esther O. Dania from the FEMIinWASH Network stated that the workshop provided valuable insights into the practical dimensions of gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s water sector. 

Dania highlighted the critical role of evidence-based data in demonstrating the real cost of exclusion across different contexts, especially when grounded in rigorous gender analysis.

She further noted that FEMinWash remains committed to strengthening the capacity of its network members to consistently apply these approaches in their work.

Dr. Joy Folorunso of Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research also described the training as timely and eye-opening, noting that the Gender Analysis Matrix (GAM) session underscored the importance of gender-integrated research.

 She highlighted that despite women bearing the greatest burden of water scarcity, many studies still lack sex-disaggregated data. Hence, she is leaving the training more determined to advocate for gender-responsive data collection as a foundation for equitable and effective policymaking.

Another participant, Dr Omolara Ojazele of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production, Ibadan, described the training as a foundational experience that deepened her understanding of gender mainstreaming and its relevance to sectoral planning. 

She emphasized the importance of strong government commitment to delivering inclusive and equitable water services.

The workshop is expected to strengthen participants’ practical skills for integrating gender into water governance, enhance collaboration among key institutions, and support stakeholders to identify concrete actions for advancing gender-responsive water policies and programmes across Nigeria.

By linking research, policy dialogue, and capacity development, the workshop reflects IWMI’s continued commitment under the CGIAR Policy Innovations Science Program to closing the gap between gender policy commitments and real-world implementation in Nigeria’s water sector.