How Nigeria, others can raise $42b to end GBV

Stakeholders in Nigeria are seeking leeway to raise the fund required to bring an end to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through budgetary allocation and the private sector.

The United Nations said countries like Nigeria and 132 others would require $42b to end the violence. Of this sum, $32.5b is needed in new investments in the next seven years.

For countries like Nigeria with dwindling revenue from federal and state governments, stakeholders at a programme in Abuja organised by Agents for Citizens-Driven Transformation (ACT), with funding from European Union and implemented by the British Council, insisted that strong political will is required for federal and sub-national governments to allocate budgetary funding for GBV.

Speaking at the programme organised in partnership with Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), the stakeholders called for options that would ensure that private organisations and international development financiers fund GBV amiddwindling revenue to government and poor budget implementation.

While the Federal Government had said Nigeria recorded 27,698 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence between 2020 and 2023, stakeholders at the event noted that investment in structure and measures are critical to prevent and end GBV remained sacrosanct.

Coming as part of the 16 day of activism, Plateau State Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo, said that government must be dedicated in making budgetary allocation to end GVB.

She noted that there is also a need for the private sector to partner with the government, adding that government revenue continues to dwindle and may affect the level of investment to fight the gender-based violence.

The National Programme Manager, ACT, Damilare Babalola, said collaboration across board is needed for sustainable solution.

“The advocacy is that we must unite and bring funds to the table, which goes beyond the funding, it goes to commitment at the community level. Commitment to change traditional norms, situations and circumstances that do not favour women and girls in the areas of violence perpetrated against them,” he said.

The Programme Manager, CSO, Youth and Human Rights at the European Union, Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson said commitment by the government no matter how little their revenue as well as political will are required even as the country could leverage development financing options.

The Secretary General of WRAPA, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, on her part, insisted that promises were not enough to end GBV.
“We need to put money where our mouth is. So, the essence is to have people understand why they need to be deliberate about investing time, resources and any form of moral and financial material to prevent VAWG and support survivors by ensuring everyone takes responsibility,” Mahdi said.

Also asking for creative solutions that would bring private investors on the table, Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere, said: “We have laws and policies to prevent VAWG and indeed all persons, and for it to be implemented, resources must be put into various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that are charged with different tasks.”