By EricJames Ochigbo

Lawmakers have expressed the National Assembly’s commitment to making laws that will ensure gender inclusion in security management in the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) and her counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara (APC-Lagos) stated this on Monday in Abuja.

The lawmakers spoke at a meeting organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NIILDS) on the amendments to security institutions laws.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that bills seek to amend laws establishing security agencies in the country to ensure at least 15 per cent of women inclusion in every recruitment.

The amendments, which will affect Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Police Force and the Armed Forces, among others, also seek to provide and maintain a gender-tesponsive compliance programme in the recruitment, training, marital status, posting and discipline of members.

They also seek to ensure the establishment of a unit to monitor and maintain records of the gender responsive compliance programme and other related matters.

In her remarks, Kingibe said that Nigeria was lagging behind in gender issues, stressing that the passage of the bills would fulfill the country’s domestic and international commitments.

According to her, women bring certain things to the table in everything they do, saying that the passage of the bills will bring that “extra factor of positive femininity.

“There are certain things women resolve without having to fight or destroy everything; they will bring that to the security agencies.

“This is not just about women but about national development. The country needs women to sit at the table with the rest of the world with our heads held high.

“I think our brothers in the national assembly understand that women inclusion enhances everything.

“It makes our democracy better, makes the country’s economic development and everything better, which does not subtract anything from men.

“So, I am optimistic that all these gender bills, these security ones, as well as the 35 per cent affirmative action bill will all scale through this year,” she said.

The senator said that she had equally sponsored a bill that would ensure 35 per cent affirmative action for women.

Also speaking, Ogbara said that the security sector played a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability and that it was a reflection of the diverse needs and perspectives of the society.

She said that the inclusion of gender responsive amendments was not just a matter of equity but a strategy to enhance effectiveness and legitimacy of security institutions.

“For your information, the bills have passed first reading and were slated for second reading last Thursday, but because of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit, we could not get to the bill before we adjourned till Tuesday.

“So definitely, I can assure you that by this week, we are going to be passing the bills for second reading; our colleagues are supporting.

“So, I want you know and to put it in our minds that definitely, we will pass the bills through the second reading by the grace of God,” Ogbara said.

Earlier, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), noted that men in the Nigerian security sector tend to advance faster in their careers than women because it is a male-dominated sector.

Sulaiman said that to achieve increased recruitment and promotion of women in the country’s security sector, it was important that women who showed the willingness and commitment to serving in combat roles be given the opportunity to undergo the various physical and mental rigours associated with achieving such roles.

He said that security institutions must provide an enabling environment for women to thrive and that the security sector leadership must eschew the parochial beliefs that undermine women’s capacity to handle strategic roles when recruited.

“The institute, in collaboration with UN Women, has come up with three draft amendment bills on security agencies for your kind consideration and passage.

“The simple message of these amendment bills is that, by promoting a level playing field for women and men in the security sector, women will advance in all roles and achieve greater recognition.

“It is, therefore, important to emphasise this message here and now, that women participation in peace and security sector is critical, and the onus lies on you, the legislators to make it happen.

“This is because you have the constitutional mandate of lawmaking, representation and oversight,” he said.

Also speaking, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, said that the meeting represented critical steps toward ensuring that Nigeria’s security architecture evolved to meet the pressing needs of all citizens.

According to her, the reforms are essential for aligning security institutions with global best practices and with Nigeria’s own commitment to inclusive governance and human rights.

“We believe that enhancing the gender responsiveness of security institution is not only a matter of equality but also a matter of effectiveness and inclusivity.

“When the security sector reflects the diversity of its population that itself and incorporate gender perspective into planning, operation and oversight, it is better equipped to prevent conflict, protect communities and promote sustainable peace.

“UN Women remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in mainstreaming gender in the security sector and broader implementation of the women peace and security agenda,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq