By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A Group of Civil Society Organizations in Zamfara State have called on the State House of Assembly to increase funding to MDAs working in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in its 2025 budget.
The State Coordinator, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) in Collaboration with the Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI), Shafa’atu Labbo made the call when she led CSOs group for advocacy visit to the State House of Assembly in Gusau.
The group of CSOs included, Ta’awanulkhairiyya-Voice of Women and Child Initiative, Save The Family Health and Advancement Organization, Zamfara Social Protection Platform, (WRAPA), Nigerian Girls Guide Association as well as Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI).
Shafa’atu Labbo called on the state lawmakers to ensure enough funding to the SGBV prevention activities in the 2025 Appropriation Bill in the state.
According to her, the visit was part of the activities for commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
She expressed deep concern over the alarming rates of violence against women and girls worldwide, including Nigeria.
“This is to advocate for effective legislative measures to strengthen women’s rights and invest in preventive and educational programmes towards addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.
“We are here to advocate to the state lawmakers on increase funding to end violence against women and Girls.
“We are appealing to the state house of assembly to enhanced funding to strengthen SGBV prevention, awareness campaigns, and survivor support systems,” She added.
The Coordinator told the lawmaker the need for an inclusive funding allocation criterion that prioritizes gender equity across all sector
“We appealed to the, Speaker, State House of Assembly to faciliate the increased funding to relevant MDAs to mitigate SGBV in the state.
She lamented how women faced with GBV challenges and directly affecting their well-being.
“Enough finding to relevant MDAs working towards addressing SGBV will address issues of capacity for legal, medical, and psychosocial support services for victims,” She added.
She added that the group of CSOs have been working with mutual understanding and synergy with the above mentioned CSOs in fight against SGBV in the state,,” She explained.
Responding, the Speaker State House of Assembly, Alhaji Bilyaminu Ismaila Moriki commended the NGO and described the visit as a welcome development.
Moriki reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment towards combating gender-based violence in the State through effective legislation.
The Speaker added that the State Assembly remained committed towards ensuring unwavering support to CSOs in addressing gender-based violence.
He also assured support of the State legislature in promoting initiatives that strengthen women’s rights and empower survivors of gender-based violence.
