Reps C’ttee Raises Concern Over Funding For Women’s Development

The House of Representatives Committee on Women and Social Development has called for improved funding for women and social development.

Speaking during the budget defence of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, said the appeal became necessary due to the unique roles of the ministry and its agencies.

She said without proper funding, it would be difficult for the ministry to carry out the roles of women empowerment, advocacy, and capacity building.

Similarly, the Director General of the National Women Centre, Hajiya Asabe Vilita Bashir, said the mandate of the centre included training of women, carrying out research on women issues and empowerment.

According to her, the 2024 capital budget proposal for the centre is N879.4 million; personnel cost is N323.7 million, while the overhead is N230 million.

The committee, however, stepped down the budget defence of the Ministry of Women Affairs due to the inability of the minister to provide relevant documents requested by lawmakers.

The documents included budget performances of the ministry for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The committee, therefore, adjourned to Friday to enable the ministry to submit relevant documents before the presentation of the 2024 budget proposal.