Justice Cluster advocates increased budget for fighting Gender-Based Violence menace
Story from Beatrice EARLAND, Bauchi
A Justice Cluster Network of non-governmental organizations advocating for justice on Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) has called for increased budgetary allocation and mobilization of resources to effectively implement laws prohibiting violence against persons.
During an advocacy visit to the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Child, and Social Development in Bauchi, a member of the Justice Network, the Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development, presented this recommendation.
Hajiya Amina Garuba Ahmed, the President of Ikra Foundation, emphasized that increased budgetary allocation would strengthen the implementation process of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, aimed at eliminating the rising cases of SGBV.
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She also expressed optimism that a separate budget dedicated to Gender-Based Violence would give higher priority to strategies aimed at addressing all forms of gender violence.
Hajiya Amina Garuba further explained that the stakeholders’ meeting aimed to consolidate effective justice delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence through the proper implementation of the law and administration of criminal justice.
The project’s primary focus is to promote an inclusive society that protects the rights of all individuals.
The Justice Network Cluster reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure the effective dispensation of justice.
As part of this partnership, the meeting called for the establishment of policy regulations that would facilitate the activities of Gender-Based Violence service providers and explore potential resource mobilization strategies.
The meeting participants expressed hope that this initiative would contribute towards creating an efficient and accountable framework for survivors of SGBV.
In response, the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Child, and Social Welfare, Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi, expressed the ministry’s readiness to work in synergy with the advocacy group to ensure effective service delivery.
The project, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), League of Women Voters, Legal Awareness for Women, and others, will be implemented in Bauchi, Benue, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, and the FCT.