IDO Initiative Celebrates World Environment Day 2024

The beauty of our planet is defined by the vast and diverse ecosystems, natural wonders, and other varieties of elements. World Environment Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to preserve and protect the Earth for the future. The theme for the WED 2024 is "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience".

The carefully chosen theme brings to light not only a major problem that is faced in the environment but also the solution to the problem. Land is the foundation of life on this planet, no activity can be carried with total isolation of land. The land is home to various species (including humans) and it supports biodiversity and provides food and water. However, good and productive land is under threat. Desert is encroaching at an alarming rate and with it comes drought, turning good fertile lands into barren wastelands and threatening the lives of many. 

Land Restoration is the revival and rehabilitation of degraded lands to fertile and productive use. Land Restoration is important to mitigate the effects of climate change and to revive the ecosystem thereby increasing biodiversity. 

Desertification is the process in which fertile land becomes arid due to human activities or other natural phenomenon. Desertification leads to the loss of productive lands.

Drought Resilience is the ability to prepare and respond to prolonged dry periods. Droughts affect food security and availability of water which results in starvation, hunger, and all manners of suffering. 

How to Support the Goal:

1. Promote afforestation and reforestation. 
2. Support sustainable land management practices that can protect the soil.
3. Raise awareness about land restoration and the consequences of desertification.

Everyone has a role to play in the preservation and the protection of the environment. The Earth can be healed and restored. We can pass a healthy and vibrant Earth to future generations. 

Happy World Environment Day!!!

GENDER EQUALITY CONTINUES TO GAIN POPULARITY IN WEST AFRICA

GENDER EQUALITY CONTINUES TO GAIN POPULARITY IN WEST AFRICA

 We are at a point where most people agree that gender equality is critical to the social and economic development in West Africa, thanks to the vigorous determination of many Non Governmental Organizations, the willingness of the various governments, the supports from the international bodies and the various corporate and individual supports in the grassroots. Even though the progress is not the same across the region, it at least signifies that women`s right is acknowledged and the role they play in social and economic development is also acknowledged.

Several countries in West Africa have made significant progress in putting laws and policies that promotes gender equality in place. In Nigeria for example, the National Gender Policy’s aim is to eliminate gender discrimination and promote women’s right in all sectors. Ghana also introduced the affirmative action bill which mandates a minimum of 40% representation in public office. The bill has been drafted but still awaiting passage into law. Senegal has also been proactive in the gender equality realisation with its parity law which requires equal representation for both men and women in all elected positions. These legislative measures gives solid foundation  to the gender equality cause and equally critical in the advancement of the cause.

Another vital component of gender equality is education and economic empowerment. In countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia, significant efforts have been made towards the enrolment and retention of the girl child in schools. Programs such as Girls Education Challenge (GEC) and Girls Access to Education (GATE) are very instrumental in creating better opportunities to education for marginalised girls, thereby enhancing their opportunities for social and economic participation. 

Economic empowerment also has good traction across the region. Several women empowerment initiatives are doing well in providing women with entrepreneurship skills and financial resources. These initiatives help women to achieve financial independence and contribute to the countries economy at large.

The implementation of comprehensive health program focused on women across the region shows the improvement and dedication to the well being of women. For example Organisations like United Nation Fund for Population Activities supports reproductive health program for women and this has led to better health outcomes for women.

All of these is not to say there are not still challenges regarding gender equality in the region. Cultural and societal norm still hinders the full realization of the gender equality as gender based violent, early child marriages, unequal representation is still prevalent in many places. 

However, it is important to continue to address these challenges through consistent effort by the different communities and stakeholders in the region. While significant progress has been made, continuous efforts are necessary to completely overcome the issue of gender equality. With these continuous efforts, West Africa will definitely have a more inclusive and equitable society.

TACKLING OPEN DEFECATION IN AFRICA

TACKLING OPEN DEFECATION IN AFRICA

Open defecation still remains a prevalent issue in a good number of Sub-Saharan Countries. Studies show that Nigeria, Ethopia and Niger have the highest numbers of people still engaging in the act of OD. OD is an indication of the state of poverty of a nation as the poorest communities tend to engage more in this act. 

The majority of the people engaging in OD are people in rural communities and some of the factors that influencing this are lack of sanitation facilities, socio-economic factors, social norms, remoteness and many more. From a layman`s perspective this makes a bit of sense and it`s understandable for rural areas. What`s a bit shocking is that in some cases you still find a lot OD issues in Urban areas almost as much as might find in rural areas in most of the Nations with the higher number of OD cases. 

It`s the alarming rate of OD in some of these urban areas that surprises me the most. Does this necessitate new policies in urban areas? It`s most likely not a case of lack of facilities but likely a case of demography and behavioral pattern. 

Why Should Open Defecation be Completely Eradicated?

1.   Environmental Degradation: Open defecation leads to the contamination of air, water and soil. It compromises the quality of our natural environment. Polluted water becomes breeding grounds for various pathogens which can lead to public health crises.
   
   
2. Public Health Hazard: This practice is a major contributor to the spread of various infectious diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. Most of these diseases have greater effects on children and the vulnerable population which might lead to higher mortality rates.
   
   
3. Reduced Quality of Life: The presence of human waste in public spaces diminishes the quality of life of people in the environment. It as harmful as it is aesthetically unpleasant. 

How can Open Defecation be Completely Eradicated?

1. Infrastructural Development: Sufficient public toilets should be constructed and kept clean with adequate provision for maintenance.
   
   
2.  Public Awareness Campaign: Launching educative initiatives to raise awareness about the health risk associated with open defecation and importance of sanitation.
   
   
3. Regulatory Measures: Implementing and enforcing regulations that prohibits OD with adequate penalty for non compliance.
   
   
4. Public Signage for Violation and Fines: Knowing the community we live in, people respond better knowing there will be consequences for their actions. Erecting signage that states the consequences of violation.
   
   
5.  Community Involvement: Engaging the community in planning and implementing sanitation projects to give a sense of responsibility. Also Involving the community in enforcement of sanitation.
   
   Tackling open defecation will not only ensure public health protection and environmental sustainability but will all lead to an increase in quality of life of people.