Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Mersole Mellejor, has called for sustained institutional mechanisms and legislative frameworks to guarantee gender equality, describing gender mainstreaming as an evolving “work in progress” vital for national governance.
Ambassador Mellejor made the remarks during a dialogue session under the Female Legislative Mentorship Initiative on Parliamentary Affairs and Diplomacy, hosted at the Philippine Embassy in Abuja.
The session featured a presentation titled “Women at the Table: The Philippine Gender and Development (GAD) Framework for Inclusive Governance, Diplomacy, and Peace.”
Addressing participants, including officials from the Directorate of Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and diplomatic guests, the envoy outlined the Philippine government’s approach to enforcing gender accountability across both public and private sectors.
”In the Philippines, we have parameters in place that carry direct budget implications for government agencies,” Mellejor explained. “Failure to implement gender mainstreaming directly impacts an agency’s budgetary allocation, serving as a firm measure to force compliance.”
He further highlighted the broader reach of Philippine legal frameworks, referencing the country’s Safe Spaces Act. The law penalizes gender-based harassment and abuse in public spaces and workplaces, allowing third parties to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of victims.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s gender initiatives, Mellejor commended the country’s progress despite its complex socio-cultural landscape, encouraging policymakers to leverage demographic strengths.
”As an outsider, I am very encouraged by where Nigeria is in terms of gender mainstreaming. You are on the right path,” Mellejor said. “Nigeria is a diverse nation of over 230 million people, but based on the Philippine experience, diversity should not be a source of weakness it is a vital generator of unity.”
He added that Nigeria’s young, IT-oriented population offers strong economic potential, particularly within creative industries, positioning both democratic nations for deeper bilateral cooperation.
The mentorship session provided a platform for Nigerian legislative mentees and diplomatic representatives to exchange insights on gender-responsive laws, women in leadership, and peacebuilding strategies.
Members of the Philippine diplomatic team, including Vice-Consul Norman and Vice-Consul Yate, contributed insights into the embassy’s domestic and external Gender and Development programs.
Mellejor expressed optimism about future institutional partnerships between the Philippine Embassy, the Nigerian National Assembly, and relevant civil society groups to further diplomatic and legislative engagement on gender equality.
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