Background

The launch of the Nigeria Gender Budget Network in September 2004 was facilitated by the Centre for Democracy and Development and UNIFEM, based on both organizations’ respective histories in the area of gender-aware training and advocacy. The network itself was formed with the intention of creating space for sustained and focused advocacy around gender concerns especially as they relate specifically to resource allocation as well as to more general issues of participation and transparency within the sub text of the broader national macroeconomic policy and planning. Critical to this, is the whole question of space and access in relation to economic justice for women as well as space for civil society to engage actively in the policy space as one way of sustaining democratic governance.

The network is a civil society-led initiative but is modelled to partner with the parliament as well as to have some local government level focus. Also identified, as key allies in this process are members of the academia as well as other relevant state institutions and agencies. Currently, the network is made up of forty-five representatives from all the categories mentioned above, and there are attempts going on to expand the membership of the network. The work methodology of the network revolves around research, advocacy, enlightenment, training and sensitization, with key committees built around these areas. Presently, the network is structured to accommodate a secretariat: (Abuja office of the Centre for Democracy and Development) and an interim steering committee: Global rights Partners for Justice, LEDAP, Gender And Development Action (GADA), the Gender and Development Initiative, Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation and the Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication, (CISCOPE).

Membership

In order to facilitate a taking stock of membership, a membership form was developed and circulated to interested groups/professionals. The forms are still being circulated today in an attempt to expand the membership. All filled forms are kept in a file marked "network membership" within the secretariat complex. So far, the file shows a record of 45 members from different parts of Nigeria with the expectation that more people will still come on board. Membership is based on organizational or professional involvement in budget related work or on going work/interest in advocacy. The membership also allows for representatives from relevant government agencies in a bid to encourage government/civil society dialogue.

Goal

Achieving gender equity through a participatory budgetary process by ensuring that the voice of the network influences policy formulation.

Programmatic Strategy

Sustained advocacy and lobby with respective focus on specific sectors. Impact will be measured against the attainment of the millennium development goals and specifically around the following Objectives:

• To mainstream gender into policy and budgetary process.
   
• To build and empower a critical mass of stake holders to influence the budgetary process.
   
• To strengthen the capacity of the Gender Budget Network to engage with the policy space on Gender Budgeting.
   
• To carry out evidenced based advocacy to influence the Budget process.
   
• To build broad alliances with national and international partners to ensure sustainability.

Governance/Leadership

Information sharing/consensus building:

• Monthly updates from the secretariat sent through the yahoo discussion group.
   
• Through regular discussions on the gender budget yahoo discussion group moderated by the secretariat.

Daily administration/general running/fundraising:

Network secretariat (CDD)

General Decision-making:

To be guided by the provisions of the network constitution. The steering committee can decide on matter but subject to consensus of wider membership (general assembly).

Finances:

Due to the fact that we are still in the process of sorting out the registration of the network, we have been unable to open a separate account in the name of the network without a registration certificate. At the last general assembly (December 2004), it was agreed that an interim account be opened in the name of “CDD – GENDER BUDGET NETWORK” pending the registration of the network at the Corporate Affairs Commission. While that is going on, the steering committee has agreed that project cheques be received by CDD on behalf of the network but with the caveat that an independent auditor will be appointed on a regular basis to audit the accounts. The secretariat is also bound by the provisions of the network constitution to make the network accounts available to members on request.