Gender desk is a unit in the Organizational Structure of NANNM. It became a unit following the decision of the quadrennial delegates conference of NANNM at Abeokuta in September 2004. In April 2005, it got budgetary provisions to enable it function properly. It equally has a full time Desk Officer, who has been trained to man the desk.

The focus of the desk is as adopted by the NLC Gender Equity Policy for the inclusion of women into trade union movement through the amendment of the constitution of the congress and all existing trade unions in the country to include a definite gender clause. The basis for this is founded on a genuine desire to mainstream women and ensure their participation at all levels of trade unions. This principle of gender clause shall permeate all actions, policies, and activities of empowerment within the union.

It is envisaged that the achievement of gender justice in NANNM shall be based on committed implementation of the following plan of action.

Formation of NANNM women Commission in accordance with the NLC gender equity Policy.

Constitutional review to ensure that the language and provisions of the constitution provide for and promote gender justice within the union.

The union shall encourage and promote Formal and Informal networking among it’s women.

NANNM has done a lot to encourage greater women participation in the union by exposing both the Desk Officer and other women to leadership training programmes but the unit believes that there is still much to be done and so craves the indulgence of the leadership to facilitate the formation of the women commission. This commission shall be a platform where the women will be given opportunities to grow in the trade union movement. It shall further provide the avenue for surveys, research and projects in collaboration with both national and international bodies.

The gender division will liaise with the union to provide a broad-based gender training and put a mechanism in place to ensure that new knowledge on gender attitudes are cultivated and sustained through the various levels of the organization.

Dorothy Etuk

Gender Desk Officer 

GENDER DIVISION

In recognition and appreciation of the multiplicity of roles played by women and to enable  them meet up with their responsibilities, with resultant increased productivity, the leadership of NANNM have taken a bold step in the right direction by providing a Crèche at the National Secretariat.

This Crèche for now is to be a mobile one, meaning, the facility has to be taken to any our programmes in whichever State it is hosted, until the State Councils are able to replicate it.

It is a forgone conclusion that the provision of this crèche will ensure the development of the capacities of our female members educationally and politically which will further create opportunity for our women to aspire to leadership positions and generally contribute their besting decision making.

The Gender Division in particular and the entire women in NANNM do appreciate the visionary and dynamic leadership of NANNM for taking this gigantic stride to fulfill the yearnings of the women.

Now, it is up to us the women to make good this singular opportunity.  We can no longer express fear for the welfare of our babies at meetings and conferences, as there will always be trained Nurses at the Crèche to look after our babies so the mothers could settle down for our progress and that of the profession.

We therefore enjoin our female members to take advantage of this noble development by coming out for Meetings, Workshops and Conferences, as the Crèche is fully equipped with modern musical beds, bath, feeding set, toys, pictures books and all other things to make babies happy and comfortable.

Bravo to NANNM and all nursing mothers.