Center wants care for pregnant women, babies in Nigeria prisons

The Center for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) has called for urgent and lasting actions for the 34 pregnant women and 51 babies under 18 months living with their mothers in Nigeria’s correctional centers across the country. Executive Director CGE Africa, Mrs. Uchenna Idoko, made the call over the weekend in Abuja at the […]

The Center for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) has called for urgent and lasting actions for the 34 pregnant women and 51 babies under 18 months living with their mothers in Nigeria’s correctional centers across the country.

Executive Director CGE Africa, Mrs. Uchenna Idoko, made the call over the weekend in Abuja at the End-of-Project Dissemination Workshop and formal release of the report titled ‘Addressing the Needs of Female Inmates and their Babies,’ organized by the center in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation.

This event wraps up the project, which evaluated government funding for female inmates and their babies in correctional centers using Lagos, Suleja (Niger State) and Enugu State as case studies.

The workshop brought together experts, civil society groups, and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), among others, to assess the budgetary implementation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.

Idoko said that the center, established in March 2011 as a research, advocacy, and advisory organization, works with policymakers, leaders, and communities to address economic inequality, promote gender equity, and enhance women’s financial security.

She said the event marked the conclusion of the project ‘Assessment of Government Budgets for Female Inmates and Their Babies in Correctional Centers in Nigeria.’

“This initiative, which commenced in November 2023, critically examined budget allocations for female inmates and their children under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019,” Idoko said.

She said the government budget is a cornerstone of public administration, reflecting national priorities, commitments, and plans.

She said, “However, implementing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 requires specific and deliberate budgetary allocations, primarily to address the unique needs of female inmates.”

She said that female inmates represent approximately 2% of the inmate population in Nigeria and that, unfortunately, their needs are often overshadowed by the remaining 98%, comprised of male inmates.

She said that female inmates face unique challenges, usually compounded by vulnerabilities that existed long before incarceration.

She said, “Pregnant women and nursing mothers in correctional facilities are particularly disadvantaged, as the system often fails to address their gender-specific needs. Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) should be adopted to address gender gaps in funding, and the GRB ensures that budgets are designed to meet the specific needs of both males and females.

“CGE Africa calls on the Ministry of Interior to adopt gender-responsive budgeting for the Nigerian Correctional Service in the next budget cycle. This bold step would demonstrate the highest political will in implementing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019.”

Also, the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Asst. Compt. Gen. Adenike E Sheyindemi noted the urgent need for gender-sensitive budgeting in the NCoS.

“The NCoS will do a lot more in ensuring that female inmates in custody live a more conducive life that encourages their willingness to embrace the various rehabilitation programs run by NCoS,” she said.

She said that insufficient funding and the lack of gender-specific facilities in the rehabilitation programs are undermining efforts at reforming inmates.

“This negatively affects the well-being of babies born and raised in these facilities. As of January 13, 2025, the total female inmate population nationwide was 1,688, with 34 pregnant women and 51 babies under the age of 18 months living with their mothers in custody,” she said.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, commended CGE Africa and other stakeholders for their efforts in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Dr. Keshinro, represented by a ministry official, assured us of the ministry’s commitment to advocating for gender equality and gender-sensitive budgeting that addresses the concerns of women and children.