The Government of Japan in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has announced a $1.45 million initiative for women and girls in Internally Displaced Persons and other survivors of Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria.
The initiative according to a statement issued by the Japanese embassy in Abuja, is strategically designed to Strengthen emergency assistance initiatives to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially women/girls and survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in target areas amongst other things.
The project, which is targeted at selected areas in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states is a one-year initiative (2016-2017), wholly funded by the Government of Japan to the tune of 1,450,000 USD and it will be implemented by UN Women, in partnership with relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), CSOs and other Development Agencies amongst other stakeholders.
The Humanitarian Response project, the statement stated “will complement an on-going Women Peace and Security Programme in Northern Nigeria, being implemented by UN Women and other partners, while also enhancing collaborative interventions between the Government of Japan and Nigeria.”
Gender mainstreaming it in humanitarian response, it argued is undoubtedly central to an inclusive, effective, efficient and sustainable support and recovery programme for IDPs in Nigeria.
“The management of UN Women, and Government of Japan and Nigeria remain committed to this course for attainment of sustainable peace and development in Nigeria,” the statement further said.