Preface

The development of the Volunteerism for Gender Equality Report by the United Nations Volunteers is very apt especially as the global community seeks best strategies to ensure women’s empowerment and social inclusion through volunteerism. Recognizing youth and women as central to volunteerism and sustainable development, Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative went into partnership with United Nations Volunteers and Nigerian National Volunteer Service, to implement the Volunteer For Life Project aimed at promoting youth and community volunteerism for sustainable development. Key deliverables from the partnership included A Toolkit for Volunteerism, Review of the Nigerian National Policy on Volunteerism, establishment of the National Thematic Group on Volunteerism, National Conference on Volunteerism hosted by UNV, among others. Our studies reveal that Volunteerism is the best and cost effective strategy to addressing gender inequalities and achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. Thus, this report on Volunteerism for Gender Equality is timely in complementing the UN Millennium Development Goals, Gender Affrmative Action and the Acknowledgements  Sustainable Development Goals. Lastly, we commend the UNV team led by Ms. Galina Chus for developing the report which we believe will really help to mainstream gender into developmental programmes and projects. We fully endorse the contents of this report and urge relevant stakeholders especially Government and partners in development to adopt the report as a resource guide and advocacy tool.

Barr. Nkiruka Nnaemego

CEO/Founder

Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative

Abuja, Nigeria