Stakeholders Push for Action at GS26 Gender Summit

The fifth Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS26) took place on September 8 and 9, 2026, organized by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) under the theme "From Agenda to Action: Making Innovations Count for the Last Mile." Stakeholders, including senior government officials, policymakers, and civil society representatives, called for tangible actions from governments and development partners to ensure that innovations reach grassroots communities. Patrick Achi, President of Côte d'Ivoire, delivered the keynote address emphasizing that inclusion is essential to development.

Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of PIC, challenged participants to evaluate the effectiveness of their solutions in reaching local communities. The summit also featured the pre-launch of the Gender Legislative Agenda, the launch of the Nigerian Youth Dream Charter, and the unveiling of the SWOLE Policy Transformation Toolkit.

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, urged stakeholders to utilize findings from the Nigerian Survey on Gender Norms to foster a more equitable health system. The summit concluded with a commitment to ensure that policies translate into visible improvements for marginalized communities.