…As Speaker Abbas pledges ₦2 million for gender policy reforms ABUJA – The Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) has been honoured with the Excellence in Women’s Development Award by the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, in recognition of its contributions to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. The award was presented as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, which was hosted by the Speaker’s office in partnership with Gender Mobile Initiative. According to Abubakar Abdullahi, Communication Officer of Gender Mobile Initiative, the event also provided a platform to reward young women with cash prizes for their leadership and advocacy in promoting gender-responsive policies. The event brought together policymakers, legal experts, and young female leaders to discuss and push for critical reforms that address gender inequality in Nigeria. From a competitive pool of over 800 applications, 50 emerging women leaders were selected to analyze and propose amendments to policies affecting women’s rights. The participants presented their policy recommendations to Members of Parliament and key stakeholders, emphasizing the need for accountability, inclusivity, and effective implementation of gender-focused laws. The top three groups with the most impactful policy recommendations received cash prizes as a reward for their contributions. In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to gender equality, announcing a ₦2 million pledge to support the top three groups advocating for legislative reforms. Additionally, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Hon. Olamiju Alao Akala, assured that the House of Representatives would engage with the recommendations for necessary legislative action. The statement further revealed that both the Office of the Speaker and Gender Mobile Initiative will compile and advance the recommendations for deliberation and implementation. “The House of Representatives will facilitate follow-ups to track progress, while ongoing collaboration with civil society and advocacy groups will ensure women’s voices remain central to policymaking,” the statement read. The event underscored the urgent need for gender-responsive legislative reforms in Nigeria and reinforced commitments to bridging gender gaps through policy-driven action.