Centre calls for gender-responsive budgeting at custodial centers

The Center for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) has canvassed for a gender-responsive budgeting that would prioritize the basic needs of female inmates and their children across custodial centers in the country.

Its Executive Director, Uchenna Idoko, made the call in Abuja during a Project Inception meeting on Assessment of Rehabilitation Programmes and Government Budgets for Female Inmates and their children in Nigeria organised by GCE Africa and Prisoners Rehabilitation Welfare Action (PRAWA), in partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) supported by MacArthur Foundation.

According to Idoko, the project aims to “evaluate the current budgetary allocations for correctional centers in Nigeria, specifically focusing on provisions for female inmates and their children, identify gaps and challenges in the existing budgetary framework regarding gender-specific needs within correctional facilities. and propose recommendations among for a more gender-inclusive budgeting approach that addresses the basic needs of female inmates and ensures their well-being and dignity.”

“We acknowledge our responsibility to advocate for women across every corner of Africa who encounter barriers hindering their access to fundamental economic opportunities and their ability to benefit from government economic policies and financing.

“Our commitment involves understanding the reasons behind these challenges through research such as this assessment and advocacy; we strive to bring about policy and practice changes. We aim to empower women to access their basic and strategic gender needs, fostering a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape,” she said.

Earlier, the Director Nigeria office of the MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, said women and children have certain vulnerabilities which must be highlighted especially when it had to do with their detention in custodial centers.

Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, said that the NCoS Act provides for the wellbeing and welfare of inmates especially the females.

“The Act has made very elaborate provisions on the treatment of females and children in our custody and Controller General has strived consistently to ensure that it is being done,” the CG, represented by the In-Charge, Welfare Services under the Directorate of Health and Social Welfare, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Dr. Suanu Kinane, said.