During a press briefing in Minna themed “Invest in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): Increase Budget to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” WARDC's Niger State Coordinator, Mrs. Hassana Joan Kpeto, revealed staggering statistics. Out of the 1,000 reported cases, the organization successfully intervened in just 100, securing only eight convictions.

Mrs. Kpeto attributed this limited impact to inadequate funding and urged the government to prioritize combating SGBV in its budget allocations.

Urgent Call for Action

“We need both government and private sector partners to step up and invest in SGBV initiatives,” she emphasized. “Allocating more resources is critical to ending violence against women and girls.”

She further advocated for gender-responsive budgeting, a transformative approach that integrates gender perspectives at every level of governance—from planning and policymaking to resource allocation and implementation.

A Roadmap for Change

Mrs. Kpeto called on the Niger State government to allocate at least 0.05% of its 2025 budget to relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) like the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the Child Rights Act Agency.

“Gender-responsive budgeting ensures sustainable and effective interventions by addressing systemic inequalities,” she explained. “It’s time for legislators to champion this framework and drive impactful change.”

WARDC, a nationwide human rights organization, continues to fight against gender-based violence, child abuse, and child labor. The center’s recent revelations underline the critical need for immediate investment and commitment from all stakeholders to eradicate SGBV in Niger State and beyond.