Women Group Appeals to Govt, UN for Improved Funding to Tackle SGBV

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government, United Nations and all relevant stakeholders have been advised to step up funding and investment in the ongoing battle against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
A Non-governmental Organisation, Women Aspire Empowerment Initiative (WAEI) gave the advice at the weekend in Abuja as part of its activities to commemorate the 2023, 16 days activism.

Making the appeal at a summit in Abuja,  WAEI in collaboration with Aegis Widows Support Network (AWSN) and other stakeholders, said it is only with improved funding that SGBV can be wiped out.
Founder AWSN, Bibiana Okereafor, emphasised the need to address the socio-economic demands of survivors of SGBV, by empowering women and girls to reduce the inequality that exists in the society.

She advocated for the reduction of gender-based violence through the implementation of laws and policies to stop Violence Against Women and Girls(VAWGs).
“Practical evidence shows that strong and independent women movements are the most important force to drive policy change in GBV. Unfortunately, such women entities and movements that are key drivers of mobilisation/recruitment are not being funded.
“Increasing funding sources that are long term in nature to finance women-focused rights organisations is key to funding solutions and response to VAWGs in Nigeria.

“We are calling on the federal government through the office of the Women Affairs Minister,  Uju Kennedy to push for the inclusion of funding organisations that are involved in the fight to prevent VAWG, as well as the rehabilitation of existing victims/survivors and reduce incidents of future violence.

“We also call on federal government organisations, states, international bodies, UN Women and corporate organisations, high net-worth individuals within and outside Nigeria to give financial support to stop continued VAWG in Nigeria”, she said.
Also speaking, the Founder of WAEI, Ebere Ulelu,  questioned the government’s desire to end VAWG. She pointed out the nation’s poor distribution of the amount allocated to the nation through international funding.

She added that the funds earned are not distributed fairly among organisations that strive to end violence against women and girls.
 Ulelu demanded that the five gender-based bills that the 9th Assembly rejected be quickly passed into law.
In his keynote address, Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed said that violence against women and girls is a serious worldwide issue that needs to be addressed with cooperation.

A public analyst and advocate for women’s and children’s rights Nana Kazaure stressed that violence against women has a serious negative impact on their health, ranking it higher than the combined effects of malaria and car accidents.