By Cleopatra Eki
No fewer than 30 stakeholders have benefited from the Sustainable Development Goals 16+ workshop, emphasizing that people cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance, based on the rule of law.
Haija lslamiat Oshodi, National President Association for Childhood Education Practitioners made the call at SDG 16+ workshop in Coker Aguda Surulere Lagos.
Adding that SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity, promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to this process.
The event attracted the Country Representative, United Nations Information Centre, TAP Network, The National Coordinator CSCSD, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, State and Local Government Executives, School Administrators, Chief Executive Officers.
She observed that our world is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy peace, security, and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is not inevitable and must be addressed.
The rule of law reduces the flow of illicit arms and strengthens the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
The objective of SDG Goal 16 + is basically focused on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, and also, provide access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels while it significantly reduced all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere as mentioned above.
She added that, armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affects economic growth, and often resulting in grievances that last for generations.
Oshodi said on the other hand that sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is a conflict or no rule of law. Therefore, countries across the globe must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.
The role of institutional frameworks in achieving all the SDG goals is focused on using Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 which still emphasizes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In this regard, the judiciary in Nigeria is construed as being focal or pivotal to the realization of this goal,
The main objective of SDG 16+ is to promote a peaceful society Culture of Peace, free of the violence of any form against children and girl child and women, and encourage all that will perfect the lawful growth of the Child.
To build a just and egalitarian society where there is rule of law to promote a society with equal access to qualitative Education for all ages, girl child and women where justice will prevail.
Enforcement of all policies and legislation for gender equality, and women’s participation in all forms of the 3 tiers of Government including the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. In this regard, we are determined to foster an inclusive society that is free of all forms of violence, and discrimination. It further promotes inclusive participatory decisions making and global governance.
Nevertheless, many researchers, international organizations, civil society actors, and governments have developed and have been using indicators to measure progress on peace, justice, and inclusion over the past decades.
ACEP boss added that the workshop promotes SDG in all locality of the Federation. Appreciating TAP Network on the highlights on SDG16+ and the support of this programme. She thanked other organizers, Women Protection Organization (WOPO), Greenspring Development Initiative Services, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, SpeakingFingers Network and Leadership Empowerment and innovative.
SpeakingFingers Network,Convener, Treasures Uchegbu represented by Mr. Ebenezer Akinrinade, Lead, SFN Strategic Communication and a development practitioner, appreciating every organizing partner, participating organizations at the event.
Today, as we rub minds and develop new strategies, we must come to understand that our ability to meet all the seventeen(17) goals of the SDGs by 2030 hinges on how well we pursue the implementation of Goal 16.
She emphasized that where peace, justice and strong institutions are absent, development becomes elusive; all well-meaning efforts, no matter how great, require we embrace a multi stakeholder approach especially persons with disabilities; leaving no one behind.
Uchegbu said It is therefore critically important for us as development practitioners and stakeholders to begin to think up new approaches, mobilize ideas, resources to learn for better mainstreaming and integration of the SDGs 16+ within.
Dr. Tola Winjobi, National Coordinator, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development (CSCSD) emphasized on these indicators include the following: -Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere .Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.
Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
He acknowledged that the UN has defined 12 Targets and 23 Indicators for SDG 16. Targets specify the goals and Indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these Targets are achieved. However, this is simplified by researchers and civil society organizations as above.
In conclusion, SDG Goal 16+ expects all of us to collaborate as civil society organisations together and work with the 3 tiers of Government including the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary for a better Nigerian society.
The highpoint was technical workshop and question and answers sessions.
