Government paying lip service to gender responsive budgeting has been described as major impediments to having a successful Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and Advocacy.
Speaking at a two-day refresher training for CSOs and media organisations, which was supported by Joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and implemented by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in Lagos, the Programme Director, Women Arise Development Initiative (WADHI), Mofoyeke Omole, said lack of data and CSOs’ lack of adequate information can also impede GRB.
Omole pointed out that the tool which can be used to promote gender equality; tackle poverty and ensure that there is gender balance.
“For Gender Responsive Budgeting to be successful, there has to be an enabling environment such as having a proper understanding of gender; budget knowledge from a political/ administrative perspective; political will (affirmative action); having sufficient knowledge of the sector you are in, among others,” Omole said.
WARDC Founding Director Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the training will eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
“Poor and equitable distribution of resources, corruption and lack of opportunities have contributed to slow national budget process.
Preliminary findings indicate that despite the involvement of Nigeria in four national conventions, Nigeria is yet to adequately mainstream issues of gender into national budget framework,” said Akiyode-Afolabi.
“The aim is to strengthen CSOs and media organisations in tackling all forms of discrimination, build capacity to demand accountability on VAWG/SGBV/HP/ SRHR) and push for reforms that will promote gender equality so that we can have a society where women can live a life free of violence.”
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