…highlights from the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024
At the heart of this year’s Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 was an impactful fireside chat titled “Face Me, I Face You: Fixing the Urban Poverty and Housing Crisis.”
The session brought to light the urgent and intertwined issues of urban poverty and housing, with a specific focus on addressing Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
This goal aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable—an ideal the speakers at this event sought to pursue within the context of Nigerian urban centres.
Anchoring the theme, “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction,” the discussion convened notable experts including Will Bradley (Consultant, Urban Livability & Mobility, The World Bank), Doyin Adewola (Founder/CEO, Roomeo), and Comfort Booth (Host, The Talking Booth), with Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, moderating the conversation.
The panellists explored the practical and policy-driven challenges of the housing crisis, its gendered dimensions, and potential solutions.
Will Bradley emphasised the need to align the documented urban planning system with the real conditions on the ground, pointing out that issues such as arbitrary demolitions and poor transportation planning have exacerbated Abuja’s housing crisis, diverting from the city’s original Master Plan.
“To drive affordability and livability, we must bring back order,” Bradley said.
He emphasised that returning to the Abuja Master Plan would be a significant step toward solving housing challenges.
On her part, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu expanded on the multidimensional nature of poverty, stressing the need to go beyond just financial aspects.
“Poverty is not just about income; it involves health, education, access to basic services like electricity and water, and living standards,” she stated.
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Doyin Adewola, as a practical solution provider, pointed out that while labour costs are relatively affordable due to high unemployment rates, the cost of land and building materials remains prohibitive. He advocated for local production and innovation in construction.
“By utilising locally available materials, we can reduce housing costs significantly, thereby addressing not just urban poverty but also creating jobs and supporting local industries,” he noted.
Comfort Booth brought a gendered lens to the discussion, stressing that affordable housing remains an area where gender disparity plays a critical role.
She stated that while women today enjoy more freedom than a decade ago, access to housing is still disproportionately limited, particularly for women who face legal and financial barriers.
“We need to ensure that women harness their empowerment in ways that benefit future generations,” Booth said.
Earlier in the summit, Dr. Dirisu reflected on the progress made since the inaugural Gender and Inclusion Summit 2021.
Her words: “This platform amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and drives inclusive policy creation. Our focus is to develop actionable solutions that address the root causes of poverty and inequality, especially through gender-responsive approaches.”
Udeme Ufot, Chairperson of the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), echoed this sentiment in his address, warning that despite pockets of economic growth, multidimensional poverty remains a major issue in Nigeria and across Africa.
With 21.7% of the global population living in acute poverty, he argued, efforts must intensify to alleviate the persistent deprivations, especially in urban areas.
The Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 offered an inclusive space for exploring these critical issues, featuring not just fireside chats but also plenary sessions, panel discussions, and creative competitions.
The event reinforced the urgent need for strategic partnerships across sectors; from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to tackle the longstanding challenges of poverty and inequality.
Launched in 2022, the Gender and Inclusion Summit is an annual platform focused on advancing gender equality and inclusive governance in Africa.
Through dialogue, research, and collaboration, the summit seeks to develop strategies and policies that promote a more equitable and inclusive society.
Pix caption 1: Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) moderating the conversation.
Pix caption 2: Panelists discussing the theme, “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction” at fireside chat during the summit.