The Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) has called on stakeholders to improve budgetary allocations and construct more centres and crèches for female inmates in Nigeria.

The executive director of CGE Africa, Uchenna Idoko, made this appeal at the end-of-project dissemination workshop on the assessment of government budgets for female inmates and their babies in correctional centres.

At the event, which took place on Monday in Abuja, Mr Idoko emphasised that the report, titled “Addressing the Needs of Female Inmates and Their Babies,” highlighted the pressing need for improved welfare for female inmates.

The event, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, also highlighted the gaps in the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) budget and its impact on the care of female inmates and their babies.

Mr Idoko explained that CGE Africa’s research, conducted in Lagos, Suleja, and Enugu, assessed the government’s budgets for female inmates and their children.

He stated that implementing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 required deliberate budgetary allocation to address the unique needs of female inmates.

“Female inmates represent approximately two per cent of the inmate population in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, their needs are often overshadowed by the 98 per cent male population,” Mr Idoko noted.

He also advocated for gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) to bridge these gender gaps and ensure that the needs of both males and females were met.

He argued that GRB was a strategic tool for promoting equity and addressing vulnerabilities, especially for women in correctional centres.

Mr Idoko urged ministries, departments, agencies, and organisations to contribute to reducing the challenges faced by female inmates through effective budget implementation.

He called on the ministry of interior to adopt gender-responsive budgeting in the next budget cycle for the Nigerian correctional service.

Adenike Sheyindemi, gender advisor to the acting controller-general of NCoS, emphasised the importance of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programmes but noted that they were often undermined due to a lack of funds and gender-specific budgets.

Ms Sheyindemi explained that as of January 13, the total female inmate population in Nigeria was 1,688, with 34 pregnant women and 51 babies under the age of 18 months in custody.

She stressed the importance of Section 34 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, which mandates the inclusion of gender-sensitive practices in all procedures, programmes, and projects.

However, she pointed out that an analysis of the NCoS budget since 2018 revealed significant gaps in fully integrating gender considerations.

The event, attended by stakeholders from the National Orientation Agency, ministry of women affairs, and other organisations, also presented a research report.

The report revealed that the challenges faced by women in correctional facilities include overcrowded cells, inadequate menstrual hygiene, and limited access to healthcare, particularly for pregnant and nursing mothers.

The findings highlighted the urgent need to address these issues in order to improve the conditions of female inmates.

The report identified significant gaps in funding and resources for female custodial centres, calling for better budgeting to provide sustainable support for female inmates and their babies.

It also recommended access to clean water, improved sanitation, comprehensive healthcare, transportation to court appearances, adequate feeding, clothing for infants, and mental health support.

(NAN)