From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has charged security agencies to ensure more strategic roles for women.
Sulaiman, who spoke at a breakfast meeting on the presentation of proposed gender-responsive amendments to security sector institution laws, on Monday, decried the gender gap in the various security agencies in the country.
NILDS DG blamed the gaps on gender bias and discrimination, which impacts negatively on the recruitment process and achievements of at least 35 percent of women representation in the security sector.
He recalled that in 2000 the United Nations Security Council passed resolution 1325 on Women , Peace and Security ( WPS), which emphasizes the
” central role of women as change agents in contributing to international peace and security.”
According to him, “This Resolution underlined the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security. Therefore, ensuring women’s full and equitable involvement in the security sector has been recognized as essential for fostering a security sector that is more responsive, efficient, and accountable.”
Sulaiman noted that in Nigeria, NILDS and other development partners in conjunction with UN Women have worked towards achieving a gender-responsive security sector.
“Different security agencies have also responded to the call for a more gender-responsive sector by creating gender units and Women’s Corps.”
Nonetheless, he argued that the establishment of gender units and corps has not always translated to greater representation and participation of women “in the overall operations of the security agencies and institutions.’
Sulaiman added that ” to achieve increased recruitment and promotion of women in the Nigerian security sector, it is important that: Women willing and committed to serve in combat roles be given the opportunity to undergo the various physical and mental rigors associated with achieving such roles.
“Security institutions must provide an enabling environment for women to thrive; and the security sector leadership must eschew the parochial beliefs that undermine women’s capacity to handle strategic roles when recruited.”