Lawmakers Advocate for Gender Inclusion in Nigeria’s Security Management

Abuja: 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 at a meeting organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NIILDS) on the amendments to security institutions laws. According to News Agency of Nigeria, the proposed bills aim to amend existing laws governing security agencies to guarantee at least 15 percent inclusion of women in every recruitment process. The amendments will impact various security bodies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Police Force, and the Armed Forces. The proposed changes also seek to establish a gender-responsive compliance program addressing recruitment, training, marital status, posting, and discipline of members. Sen. Ireti Kingibe highl ighted that Nigeria is currently trailing in gender issues and emphasized that passing these bills would fulfill both domestic and international commitments. She stressed that women bring unique perspectives and skills to every role, which would enhance the effectiveness of security agencies. Earlier, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of NILDS, pointed out that the security sector is predominantly male-dominated, leading to men advancing faster in their careers. He emphasized the need for providing women with opportunities to serve in combat roles and ensuring an enabling environment for their growth. Also speaking, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, stated that the meeting was a crucial step toward evolving Nigeria's security architecture to meet the needs of all citizens. She noted that aligning security institutions with global best practices and Nigeria's commitment to inclusive governance is essential. The amendments, supported by UN Women, are part of broad er efforts to mainstream gender in the security sector and implement the women peace and security agenda in Nigeria. The legislators were urged to leverage their constitutional mandate to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the security sector.