Transnational NGO Invictus Africa Celebrates Commissioner For Women Affairs For Dynamism Displayed In The Discharge Of Her Duties

A courtesy call cum strategic engagement was made by the renowned and credible transnational NGO; Invictus Africa Team led by Ms Bukky Shonibare to the Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Inclusion and her team comprising the Coordinating Director & Director Women Program Mr Ogunjimi ,Director Child Welfare Mr Ojerinde and the Director Planning & Statistics on the 12th of December

Invictus Africa is a transnational NGO which promotes human rights and addresses gender inequality through data-driven and evidence-based advocacy, legal and policy review, and capacity development

The two teams had a meaningful discourse on a topic of mutual interest: Gender Responsive Education Budgeting.

The Executive Director of Invictus Africa outlined the primary purpose of the meeting, which was to follow up on an advocacy program on Gender Responsive Budgeting which the ministry represented by the Commissioner and the then Director Women program participated in earlier in the year 2024

Invictus Africa is a staunch advocate for the adoption of a gender-sensitive budget from all ministries especially those which handle cross cutting issues with relevance to women and children e.g Ministries of Health, Education, Justice and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, beginning from the 2025 fiscal year and beyond. The team emphasized the importance of integrating gender considerations into budget planning to enhance equity, inclusivity, and the effectiveness of program delivery, particularly as it impacts women and vulnerable groups in the State.

The Commissioner in her response highlighted how Gender-Responsive Budgeting aligns with global best practices, supporting sustainable development and promoting equal access to economic opportunities

She further highlighted the necessity for budgetary allocations to address the specific needs of women, children, and other vulnerable groups, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.

Hon ( Mrs) Toyin Balogun underscored these necessities as a justification for the provision made by her ministry to address all these concerns in the recently approved 2025 budget which has been presented to the House of Assembly by His Excellency Governor Seyi Makindr

She further reiterated that thankfully in Oyo State we have the best Governor who has not only rallied requisite political will and support behind  her ministry to enable it deliver on its core mandates and responsibilities to the vulnerable demographics in the State, he has also graciously assented to the ambitious budgetary provisions that will make these identified ideals possible

The Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, expressed appreciation for the advocacy visit pointing out that there was clearly a nexus between the agenda of both Invictus and the Ministry on several key issues such as Advocacy and Sensitization programs to eradicate Sexual and Gender Based crimes, Economic Empowerment of our Women and other vulnerable demographics, enhancing capacity of requisite structures through provision of requisite work tools such as the ministry departments, the Rapid Response Team, the SARC ( Sexual Assault Referral Centre ), provision of facilities such as Shelters for Victims of SGBV, capacity building for survivors and other vulnerable communities through Vocational & Skills Acquisition programs, equipping of vocational centres etc. all of which activities have all been provisioned for in the 2023 budget which His Excellency has graciously assented to

She further reiterated that the ministry’s position is already aligned with the goals of Invictus Africa with respect to gender-responsive budgeting as evidenced by the provisions her ministry has already made in the 2025 budget

The Invictus Africa team responded by commending the ministry under the Commissioner’s watch for its dynamism  and proactive approach in handling identified challenges and pledged its support going forward to enable the ministry achieve projected outcomes.

The Invictus Africa team thereafter presented the Commissioner with an award of Excellence and branded Invictus Africa  mementoes in recognition of the dynamism the ministry team led by the Honorable Commissioner have brought to bear in the discharge of their duties to the vulnerable communities of the State

The Honorable Commissioner expressed her appreciation of this recognition, considering it as a vote of confidence and reaffirmed  the ministry’s readiness to continue to work with credible stakeholders like Invictus Africa to enable equal access to economic opportunities to both genders, eliminate poverty, the menace of all forms of Sexual & Gender Based Violence and ensure inclusion across board to all members of the vulnerable demographics of Oyo State