Bauchi: Network of SGBV group advocates for increased budget for effective implementation of VAPP law

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Justice cluster, a network of Non-Governmental Organisations, has advocated for increased budgetary allocation towards the effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) law in Bauchi State                                                                                                                                                               

A member of the Network, the Ikra Foundation for Women and Youths Development, gave the advice during an advocacy visit to the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Child and Social Development, on Monday.

Speaking during the visit, President of Ikra Foundation, Hajiya Amina Garuba Ahmed, said the increased budget allocation would strengthen the implementation process of the VAPP law aimed at eliminating increased cases of violence against persons.   

                                                                                                                                                                       Ahmed also expressed optimism that a clear separate budget on SGBV would accord more priority to strategies aimed at addressing all forms of violence. 

She further explained that the stakeholders meeting was aimed at consolidating effective justice delivery for survivors of SGBV through effective implementation of the law and administration of justice.

The project, according to her, is expected to work towards actualising the group’s focus of addressing issues of rights violation in line with its vision of promoting inclusive society which protects the rights of all.     

The justice Network cluster therefore reiterated its commitment to partner with Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs towards ensuring effective dispensation of justice.

As part of the partnership, the meeting called for the establishment of policy regulations that would facilitate activities of SGBV service providers through strategies that would explore potentials for resource mobilisation.

The meeting however expressed the hope that the initiative would contribute towards achieving efficient and accountable framework for survivors.       

Responding, the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Child and Social Welfare, Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi, who is the Director Women Affairs, expressed the ministry’s readiness to work in synergy with the Advocacy group towards ensuring effective service delivery.

Other participants from the ministry also emphasised the need to establish a comprehensive Data base on SGBV in order to enhance the state’s information system.      

The project in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), League of Women Voters, Legal Awareness for Women, among others is to be implemented in Bauchi, Benue, Osun, Kaduna Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)