A High-Level Technical Working Group on Gender-Responsive Budgeting, Policies, and Institutions has been inaugurated in Abuja to address the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
The group, comprising government agencies and international organizations, was launched during a High-Level Dialogue on Investment in Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Women, organized by UN Women in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Dr. Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Director General, underscored the importance of empowering women and girls for sustainable economic development. “When both genders have equal opportunities across all sectors—whether in communities, business, parliament, or creative industries—societies become more productive, resilient, and peaceful,” he said.
Dr. Kamara highlighted AfDB’s commitment to reducing gender disparities through initiatives that enhance women’s access to finance, markets, and skills development. He cited the recent approval of a $100 million program focused on gender-responsive youth enterprise development, with women as a primary focus.
UN Women’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, emphasized the urgency of bolstering national strategies and supporting women’s rights organizations, particularly as the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. She expressed concern over the growing threats faced by human rights activists and called for collective action to protect those combating GBV.
Ambassador Olufolake Abdul-Razak, Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, reaffirmed the forum’s dedication to promoting women’s leadership and economic empowerment. She advocated for gender-friendly policies to drive socio-political and economic progress.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, outlined several strategies developed by the ministry to combat GBV nationwide.
A notable moment during the dialogue was a presentation by Ambassador Alfredo Miranda of Mexico, who introduced a three-color system aimed at helping children cope with violence in their environments.
The dialogue brought together key stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s progress in tackling GBV and advancing gender equality, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. Discussions centered on implementing gender-responsive budgeting, policy development, and strengthening institutional frameworks to combat gender inequality and violence.
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