The Federal Government has trained security personnel on the need to implement the revised 2021 to 2026 National Gender Policy, in order to improve gender equality and women empowerment.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Aliyu Shinkafi, made this known at a three-day training programme held in Abuja.
He said the aim of the training was to build the participants’ capacity on implementing and disseminating national gender policies across security sectors.
He said it was also to infuse the policies into their projects and programmes, in order to promote gender equity and women empowerment in the sector.
The permanent secretary said that the first policy developed in 2000 was replaced by the NGP in 2006 after a review and integration of the lessons learnt.
He said that it was further reviewed to address current issues affecting women and girls.
Shinkafi noted that the overall goal of the 2021 to 2026 NGP was to build a just society where women, girls and other vulnerable groups would enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life, devoid of discrimination.
He said, “The Revised NGP promotes a system in which women, girls, boys and other vulnerable groups enjoy the same opportunity, rights and obligations in all spheres of life.
” I urge all security personnel to take the training seriously and ensure that gender perspective is mainstreamed into projects and programmes implemented in the security apparatus, for equitable national development.
“Effective implementation of the NGP will go a long way to addressing traditions, customs, sexual stereotypes of social roles and cultural prejudices that militate against women’s full participation in national development.”
Also speaking, a researcher and lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Professor Olabisi Aina, said the NGP is to promote gender equality, women empowerment, human rights and inclusion.
The researcher, who led the 2006 Gender Policy for Nigeria, stressed the need for security organisations to mainstream gender in all its affairs to bridge the divide in society.
She urged them to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen human rights and the rule of law; promote sustainable peace and security; fulfill international commitments and strengthen public trust and legitimacy.
Also, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Aisha Abubakar -Baju, reiterated the commitment of the police force to prioritise all issues affecting women and children in society.
She said that the police is currently working on reviewing the revised NGP and mainstreaming it in all its programmes, to promote gender equity, justice and inclusion.
Similarly, Major Nneka Olimma, Gender Officer, Defence Headquarters, reiterated the commitment of the force to infusing gender into all its programmes to promote peace and security in the country.
The Deputy Superintendent of Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Olishina Ajao, on her part, said mainstreaming gender perspective in security operations would curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and ensure the involvement of women in peace and security.
In the same vein, the Gender Adviser, Department of State Security Services, Ms. Mariam Dacree, said the training would provide the platform for security operatives to network, establish relationships and collaborate towards implementing the NGP.
About 100 participants drawn from the State Security Service, Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, Army, Navy, and other para-military agencies attended the capacity-building workshop and training.
