By Angela Atabo
The National Defence College (NDC) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) reiterated the need for stronger gender-responsive leadership and institutional collaboration to enhance peace, security and governance in Nigeria.
Both institutions made the reaffirmation at a two-day workshop for gender desk officers drawn from military, paramilitary institutions and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Thursday in Abuja.
The event has as the theme, “Strategic Exchange Programme on Peace and Security Leadership for Gender Desk Officers”.
It was organised by FES in collaboration with National Women Platform on Security Sector Reform and Governance and the NDC, on Thursday, in Abuja.
NDC Commandant Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed said gender influenced every aspect of security, from strategic policy decisions and military operations to policing and community safety.
Ahmed was represented by Air Commodore Edmund Oluokun.
“Local ownership of security requires that all women, men, girls and boys contribute to defining security threats and strategies.
“There is no aspect of security, from the highest level of state decisions and military operations to local policing and domestic safety, that is untouched by gender.
“Gender-responsive leadership dismantles systemic biases, creates inclusive environments and leverages diverse perspectives for better security outcomes,” he said.
Ahmed noted that Nigeria’s security institutions had also made significant progress through the establishment of gender units and other initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion.
He said the college had consistently ensured gender balance in professional training and assignments, while creating more opportunities for women to advance in leadership and operational roles.
The commandant said the workshop would therefore, provide a platform for gender desk officers to exchange experiences, identify gaps and develop collaborative strategies for advancing gender-responsive security delivery.
Also speaking, the Provost of the NDC, Prof. Adam Ahmed, described the college’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies as a leading institution in promoting security, peace and strategic research.
Ahmed commended the renewed partnership with FES, describing it as timely for strengthening gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s security sector.
According to him, women remain among the most vulnerable groups during conflicts, often suffering displacement, loss of family members and other consequences of insecurity.
He, however, stressed that gender inclusion should always be pursued without compromising professional standards.
“Gender has to work within established standards. Inclusion does not mean lowering standards, but ensuring equal opportunities within existing professional requirements,” he said.
Also, Prof. Plangsat Bitrus said the platform was established through collaboration with similar organisations across West Africa to promote gender mainstreaming in the security sector.
Bitrus is the representative of the National Women’s Platform on Security Sector Reform and Governance.
She said the platform worked beyond security institutions by engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promote women’s participation in decision-making and leadership at the community level.
According to her, strengthening the capacity of gender desk officers and exposing them to civilian perspectives will improve gender integration across security institutions.
“When women are excluded from peace and security processes, lasting peace cannot be achieved because a significant part of the population is left out.
“Women have consistently contributed to intelligence gathering and community peacebuilding, even when they are not in uniform, and these contributions must be recognised and strengthened,” she said.
Earlier, the resident representative of FES, Mr Lennart Oestergaard, expressed optimism that the workshop would mark the beginning of a renewed partnership with the NDC.
Oestergaard said the German foundation, which focused on democracy and social justice, regarded peace and security as essential components of democratic development in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the organisation was implementing projects supported by the German Foreign Office to contribute to the democratisation of Nigeria’s security sector.
According to him, gender justice remains central to FES’s work because social justice cannot be achieved without gender equality.
‘’Women play critical roles in intelligence gathering, conflict resolution and community-based peacebuilding; their contributions should be fully recognised in security governance, ‘’ he said.
Oestergaard said that FES had operated in Nigeria since 1976 and would celebrate 50 years of partnership with the country later in the year.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting inclusive and democratic reforms in Nigeria’s security sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah