Reps urge increased budget for women affairs ministry
The House of Representatives has called for an increased budgetary allocation to the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs to establish shelter homes for women suffering from gender-based violence.
The House’s resolution followed the adoption of a motion on Thursday of urgent public importance, sponsored by the member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mrs Kafilat Ogbara.
Rallying support for the motion, Ogbara stated that violence against women is a pervasive violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls globally, manifesting in physical, sexual, and psychological harm.
She noted that the United Nations has identified the elimination of violence against women as a critical component of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
She said, “The House is concerned that systemic discrimination, cultural norms, and societal attitudes contribute to the perpetration of violence against women, necessitating comprehensive strategies for prevention and response.
“The House is also concerned that violence against women and girls remains largely unreported due to impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it.
“Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace, and the fulfilment of women and girls’ human rights,” stressing that the “promise of the Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind cannot be fulfilled without ending violence against women and girls.”
The lawmaker called on Nigerians to engage in advocacy to raise awareness of the various forms of violence against women, including “domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage.”
The All Progressives Congress lawmaker also called for support for women suffering from violence, particularly services like legal aid, counselling, and shelter.
Contributing, a lawmaker from Kano State, Alhassan Doguwa, pledged support for the motion on behalf of his four wives, saying, “I support this totally; and on behalf of my four beautiful wives.”
On his part, another lawmaker from Ebonyi State, Eze Nwachukwu, said, “I come from the village and we saw what women went through while growing up. I urge my colleagues to support this motion.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to increase funding to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to establish shelter homes for survivors, ensuring they have access to the necessary care and support.
The House also urged State Houses of Assembly to push for motions on the domestication and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.
