By Divine Chinecherem
The Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), with support from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS), has unveiled the Imo State Strategic Policy Blueprint for the Advancement of Citizens’ Needs and Citizens’ Charter of Demands, calling for increased women’s participation in governance, policy formulation, budgeting and implementation.
The unveiling, which took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Sam Mbakwe Hall, Rockview Hotel, Owerri, also featured the presentation of the 2026 Imo State Women’s Needs Assessment Report, which highlighted challenges affecting women’s access to healthcare, land, economic opportunities and political representation.
One of the major findings revealed that 86 per cent of the women surveyed lacked health insurance, while 56 per cent reported having no access to land.
The assessment covered six local government areas across the three senatorial zones of Imo State: Ohaji/Egbema, Nkwerre, Owerri Municipal, Mbaitoli, Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo. Thirty communities were covered, with five selected from each local government area.
The initiative forms part of DNF’s project, Ideal Leadership, Policy Making and Advocacy: Consolidating Gains and Expanding Impact, supported by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Abuja, and implemented in Imo State in partnership with the African Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), Data Desk for Social Development (DDSD), and Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD).
A major demand in the Citizens’ Charter is the call for women to attain 35 per cent representation in political positions and public decision-making by 2028. Other proposed measures include improving rural and vulnerable women’s access to land, agricultural inputs, finance, markets, technology and other productive resources.
The Charter also advocates the formalisation of 35 per cent of women-owned enterprises by 2028, measures to reduce educational exclusion among girls by 2030, and the integration of women’s safety and security indicators into state planning by 2028.
The documents address seven broad areas: economic empowerment and financing; education, skills and digital inclusion; healthcare and social protection; inclusion of women with disabilities; political representation and leadership; security and safety; and access to information, transparency and accountability.
The event brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), traditional and religious leaders, government stakeholders, local government councillors, representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), women’s groups and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for addressing citizens’ needs and advancing women’s rights in the state.
The programme commenced with the registration of participants, followed by the singing of the national anthem and an opening prayer offered by a female participant. This was followed by a traditional prayer by HRM Eze Barr. M. C. Nwokoma, who blessed the kolanut to mark the traditional opening of the event.
The welcome address was delivered by the Executive Director of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze, who welcomed participants and acknowledged the importance of collaboration in advancing women’s rights and addressing citizens’ needs.
In their goodwill remarks, the Chief Imam of Imo State, Barrister Suleiman Yusuf Njoku; HRM Eze Barr. M. C. Nwokoma; HRH Eze Engr. Marcel Uzoebu; Honourable Lady Offor, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Juliet Okeiyi, Executive Director of OPAISD; and Ogechi Okehielam, Programmes Manager at ACCR, highlighted the importance of inclusion, responsible leadership and collective action in addressing societal challenges.
HRM Eze Barr. M. C. Nwokoma and other speakers expressed concern over what they described as the marginalisation of women in decision-making spaces, urging women to be courageous and stand up for their rights. They observed that many women were excluded from important decisions and stressed that both men and women had responsibilities to fulfil in society.
Also speaking, Barrister Suleiman Yusuf Njoku appreciated the foundation for organising the programme and emphasised that individuals appointed to traditional and leadership positions should possess good character and demonstrate responsibility.
He expressed disappointment over cases of domestic violence involving men who held traditional titles, stressing that leadership positions should reflect discipline, good conduct and respect for others. He also appealed for greater attention to young people in correctional facilities, noting that some inmates might be innocent and deserved a fair hearing.
Similarly, HRH Eze Engr. Marcel Uzoebu, identified as the Secretary to the traditional rulers in Imo State, observed that many people were more concerned about their personal interests than the welfare of society. He described the gathering as an important platform for promoting collective development and assured participants of the willingness of traditional rulers to support initiatives aimed at addressing societal challenges.
In her goodwill remarks, Juliet Okeiyi, Executive Director of OPAISD, commended the traditional rulers, colleagues and other participants for their presence and support, highlighting the importance of advocacy in creating awareness and promoting positive social change.
Ogechi Okehielam, Programmes Manager at ACCR, acknowledged the organisation’s partnership with the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, describing the initiative as a collective effort to document women’s voices and ensure that their needs were adequately represented in policy discussions.
She also provided an overview of the policy documents, explaining the processes involved in developing the needs assessment, Citizens’ Charter of Demands and Strategic Policy Blueprint. The project involved engagements with government stakeholders, civil society organisations and community representatives to identify citizens’ priorities and develop recommendations for gender-responsive planning and implementation.
The keynote address was read by Barrister Lilian Ugoanyanwu on behalf of the Senior Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Barrister Chinenyenwa Owuamalam. The address focused on the importance of women’s inclusion in decision-making and the need to address gender inequality.
Following the address, the Executive Director of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze, unveiled the policy documents in partnership with the Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Representatives of government institutions, religious organisations, civil society organisations and traditional rulers participated in the exercise. Copies of the documents outlining the needs assessment, Citizens’ Charter of Demands and Strategic Policy Blueprint were distributed to participants.
The Chief Imam of Imo State, Barr. Suleman Yusuf Njoku, stated during an interview after the programme that the initiative aimed to educate women about their rights, particularly their right to inheritance, and to address practices that unjustly deprive them of their entitlements or force them out of their homes. He further highlighted his advocacy efforts to promote awareness of these rights within the Muslim community.
During a brief interview, Barr. Lilian Ugoanyanwu expressed appreciation to Dorothy Njemanze Foundation for successfully implementing the programme. She noted that the initiative addressed issues of particular interest to the Senior Special Adviser, especially those relating to the rights and welfare of women and children.
She emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals. According to her, effective partnerships encourage inclusion, reduce barriers and support collaboration among different groups in society. She further stressed the need to eliminate gender discrimination and ensure that women participated meaningfully in governance, policy formulation, budgeting and implementation.
Dorothy Njemanze appreciated all the guests, partners and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event. The event underscored the importance of collaboration among civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, government representatives and community stakeholders in advancing women’s rights and addressing citizens’ needs.
Through the Citizens’ Charter of Demands and Strategic Policy Blueprint, the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation seeks to establish a framework through which citizens’ concerns can inform policy priorities, public budgeting and implementation.
The proposed targets, particularly the call for 35 per cent women’s representation by 2028, are intended to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making and improve their access to opportunities and essential services.
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