By Prosper Okoye
Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF) has called for a more gender-responsive approach to Nigeria’s social protection system, warning that many programmes continue to fall short because they do not adequately address the specific needs of women, girls, and female-headed households.
Speaking at the Annual General Scientific Meeting of the Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (AONN) in Abuja, SEF’s Program Director, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana, said meaningful social protection must begin with understanding real household dynamics and the lived experiences of vulnerable populations.
“Policies alone are not enough. Social protection becomes effective only when communities are fully involved and women and girls are intentionally prioritised,”
Dr. Ogunlana noted that female-headed households remain disproportionately excluded from support systems due to cultural norms, documentation barriers, and caregiving responsibilities that limit their access to services.
She stressed the importance of engaging men as allies in community interventions, explaining that sustainable change requires shifting household decision-making patterns. “When men understand that these programmes strengthen the entire family, not weaken their role, access for women and girls improves significantly,” she explained.
Highlighting the link between gender inequality and educational outcomes, Dr. Ogunlana raised concerns about the number of girls who miss school due to menstrual hygiene challenges. She advocated for dignity kits, safe WASH facilities, and school-based menstrual hygiene programmes as essential not optional components of social protection.
Dr. Ogunlana also underscored the need for accurate data, transparent governance, and community-led validation processes Is key to effective social protection.
This year’s AONN meeting, themed ““Strengthening Social Protection for Vulnerable Populations: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare, Education, Nutrition and Livelihoods” brought together stakeholders from the health, education, nutrition, protection, and livelihood sectors. Discussions centred on improving Nigeria’s Safety-net system and building a more people-centred approach.
Dr. Ogunlana concluded by reaffirming SEF’s commitment to advancing gender equity within community-level programming. “Without a gender lens, gaps in healthcare, education, nutrition, and livelihoods cannot be effectively addressed,” she said. “Empower the woman, and you protect the child, strengthen the household, and build a more resilient nation.”
