EU Seeks more funding to address SGBV issues

The European Union (EU) has called on the Federal Government to allocate more funds to address the issue of Sexual- and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Ruben Aguilera, the Acting Head of Development Cooperation at the EU delegation in Nigeria, made the plea in Abuja during a Workshop on SGBV for First-Time, First Ladies organised by the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum and UN-Women.

Mr Aguilera emphasized that tackling SGBV requires the collective effort of all stakeholders and reiterated the EU’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in addressing sexual violence and related issues.

He, however, urged the government to prioritize “this matter” in its budget allocation.

Mr Aguilera referred to the EU-UN flagship programme “the Spotlight Initiative”, which has allocated £500 million to address SGBV, as well as enhance Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law.

He announced new programmes for SGBV in Nigeria worth £12 million.

Beatrice Eyong, the UN-Women representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed the need for the swift dispensation of justice for SGBV victims.

She called for the political will to reduce impunity, citing instances wherein survivors wait for justice for extended periods, or perpetrators are released shortly after arrest, fostering a sense of impunity.

Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazak, the Wife of the Kwara State Governor and chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum, explained that the event was organized for the first ladies to deepen their understanding of mitigating SGBV and to influence policies and legislation for creating a safer society.

Ambassador Abdulrazak encouraged the first ladies to capitalize on the training to effectively implement measures in their respective states.