
Women’s groups in Nasarawa, including the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and others, have emphasized the urgent need for increased gender-responsive budgetary allocations to address violence against women and girls. At a press briefing in Lafia, stakeholders stressed that the state government must prioritize the challenges faced by women and girls in its financial planning.
The Importance of Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Gender-responsive budgeting integrates a gender perspective into all aspects of the budgeting process. It includes planning, resource allocation, implementation, and impact assessment. Stakeholders highlighted that this framework ensures resources address the specific needs of women and girls while justifying investments from various sectors.
By increasing the budget, Nasarawa can enhance protective services, ensure survivors access justice, and establish safe spaces for victims of violence.
Key Challenges Women and Girls Face
The Executive Director of the Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative, Dorcas Iorkusa, outlined significant barriers, including:
- High rates of gender-based violence.
- Poor enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
- Insufficient resources for legal and psychosocial support.
Data from 2020–2022 revealed that 72.3% of reported gender-based violence cases involved sexual and physical abuse. These figures underscore the need for strategic resource allocation to combat systemic challenges.
Advancing Human Rights in Nasarawa
The VAPP Act of 2015 provides a legislative framework to prevent violence against vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls. However, its effectiveness is hampered by poor coordination, limited enforcement, and insufficient funding. Addressing these gaps is crucial to ensuring human rights are upheld.
A Call for Collective Action
WARDC and the African Women Development Fund (AWDF) have called on the Nasarawa State government and stakeholders to increase gender-responsive budgeting. This measure is critical for protecting women and girls and advancing equality in the state.
Conclusion
Empowering women and girls in Nasarawa requires strategic action and financial commitment. Stakeholders must collaborate to ensure budgetary frameworks address the challenges of gender-based violence. Visit genderpedia.ng/shop to access comprehensive documents and learn more about advocating for gender-responsive policies.
References
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