Dorothy Njemanze

On Wednesday, 29th October 2025, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) participated in the High-Level Meeting on the Gender-Responsive Review of the 2025 Federal Government Budget and the Launch of the Gender Policy Landscape Analysis, a pivotal forum emphasizing the need to align Nigeria’s fiscal priorities with the real experiences of women and girls. The meeting opened with a moving exhibition showcasing true-life stories that humanized policy gaps, from women with disabilities demanding equal access to justice and healthcare to survivors of gender-based violence still denied justice. These images served as powerful reminders that economic empowerment and inclusion must go beyond rhetoric to action. The 2025 budget analysis revealed an increase in gender-related allocations but raised concerns over vague terminology and tokenistic commitments. Despite progress, systemic inequalities persist, spanning education, employment, political participation, and reproductive health access. As noted by Sharp and Broomhill (1990), “women’s budgets are not separate budgets for women; they are tools to measure how government budgets affect women.” At GSAI, we believe gender-responsive budgeting is not just a governance obligation; it is a moral and economic imperative. Budgets reflect values, priorities, and power. A truly inclusive national budget must invest in justice, access, and opportunity for all, especially women and girls. As advocates for gender justice and accountability, GSAI remains steadfast in amplifying women’s voices in fiscal policy, ensuring that every naira spent builds a Nigeria rooted in equality, dignity, and empowerment. #GSAI #GenderResponsiveBudgeting #JusticeForWomen #BudgetForEquality – at Abuja, Nigeria

Yesterday, 2nd December 2025, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) joined Invictus Africa and key national stakeholders for the official unveiling of the Womanity Index 2025, a groundbreaking civic-tech tool redefining how Nigeria measures, understands, and responds to gender-based violence (GBV). Representing the Executive Director, Dr. Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, GSAI’s Communications Lead, Khadijat Alkali Godwin, was present at the unveiling to reinforce GSAI’s commitment to data-driven advocacy and gender-responsive governance. The Womanity Index marks a powerful shift from assumptions to evidence-based accountability. For the first time, every state is evaluated using 18 indicators across five essential domains: Laws & Policies Access to Legal Justice Support Services Information & Awareness Budget & Spending This is more than an index; It is a spotlight. A scorecard. A national call to action. For GSAI, the Womanity Index aligns deeply with our mission to strengthen women’s representation, amplify the voices of women and girls, and hold governance systems accountable. Nigeria cannot end GBV without data that reveals the truth, and this tool brings that truth to the center of national dialogue. We commend Invictus Africa for developing a tool that: Holds institutions accountable Drives equitable resource allocation Strengthens advocacy with verifiable data Empowers civil society to demand real change Ensures state governments cannot hide behind silence or fragmented reporting As Nigeria faces increasing forms of digital, emotional, physical, and systemic violence, the Womanity Index arrives as a timely and transformative intervention. GSAI stands ready with partners, policymakers, journalists, creatives, and communities to turn this data into action, reforms, and justice. Because every woman and girl deserves safety. Because policy must be driven by data. Because accountability is the foundation of progress. The Womanity Index is here, and the work to build a safer Nigeria has entered a new chapter. #GSAI #WomanityIndex2025 #InvictusAfrica #EndGBV #DataForJustice #AccountabilityNow #GenderEquality