A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has urged the Delta State Government to prioritize the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) by significantly increasing its budgetary allocation in 2025 and beyond. The call was made during a press conference in Warri, where the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), the Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI), and members of the Delta Working Group for the Implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Laws highlighted the urgent need for action.
Dr. Rachael Misan-Ruppee, Executive Director of DICI, raised concerns over the alarming rate of violence against women and children in Delta State. She emphasized the importance of adopting a gender-responsive budgeting framework to bridge the gap between policy and implementation, which she described as essential for addressing the global menace of gender-based violence.
“Delta State must increase its budget to combat violence against women and children effectively,” Misan-Ruppee said, underscoring the critical role of financial, material, and technical resources in supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). She advocated for a budget framework that integrates gender considerations into planning, resource allocation, and program implementation to maximize impact.
According to Misan-Ruppee, a gender-responsive approach will ensure that limited resources are strategically deployed to meet the specific needs of SGBV survivors, while also fostering accountability in resource utilization. She called on the Delta State House of Assembly to take the lead by championing an increased allocation for SGBV prevention and response in the state’s annual budget.
“The fight against gender-based violence is a fight for human rights, dignity, and justice,” she stated, urging civil society organizations, media, community leaders, and the private sector to collaborate in this effort. “We must rise to this challenge by committing adequate resources to build a violence-free society. This investment is crucial to breaking the cycles of violence and inequality that undermine social and economic development.”
Misan-Ruppee also noted that SGBV demands a multi-stakeholder, community-driven approach to address its root causes. She highlighted the far-reaching economic implications of violence against women and girls, emphasizing the need for urgent and coordinated action.
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Despite significant legal milestones, such as the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015 and Delta State’s local adoption of the law in 2020, Misan-Ruppee pointed out that their impact has been limited due to inadequate funding, weak enforcement mechanisms, and poor implementation.
Globally, one in three women has experienced gender-based violence in their lifetime, Misan-Ruppee revealed. In Nigeria, 7,349 cases of SGBV were reported between January 2020 and July 2022, with Delta State recording 800 cases during the same period.
Joining Misan-Ruppee at the event were prominent advocates, including Mrs. Ayo Okotie, Executive Director of NEFEROK Development Initiative; Mrs. Otorme Jarikre, Executive Director of Victoria Jarikre Foundation; and Mrs. Ezon-Ebi Odumosu, a member of the Delta chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWoJ).
The coalition stressed that the fight against gender-based violence cannot be won without substantial financial commitments and collective efforts. By increasing budgetary allocations and fostering partnerships across sectors, Delta State can set a precedent in addressing this pervasive challenge and building a future free of violence for its women and children.
