The United Nations (UN) has commended the Federal Government on the implementation of its (UN) Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 programmes on women, peace and security in Nigeria.
Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, gave the commendation during the launch of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UNSCR 1325 in Abuja.
Lamptey who is also the UN Women Country Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noted that government had implemented the resolutions of the UNSCR by mainstreaming gender perspective in its programmes.
She noted that this had been achieved by promoting women participation, peace keeping mission across Africa and inclusiveness on security issues, particularly in traditional settings.
According to her, 85 nation states, including Nigeria, translated the UNSCR 1325 into national action plans, adding that several states such as Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau and others, have each adopted it at the state level.
She further said that the government had also broken traditional council barriers which excluded women as part of the traditional council adding that no fewer than 486 women were currently part of the traditional council in some parts of the country.
Lamprey then appealed that the third national action plan currently being developed, should reflect the gender responsive security sector reforms and the security challenges heralded by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the UNSCR 1325 recognised women’s role as peace builders and agents of change.
According to her, the UN member states, Civil Society Organisations and the international community needs to support increase in female participation in conflict prevention and peace building processes at all levels.
”The resolution is hinged on four pillars of prevention, participation, protection, peace building and recovery.
“It has become the focal point for galvanising worldwide efforts to deal with many challenges women face in situations of conflict,’’ she said
Tallen added that the ministry was working with other MDAs, UN agencies, development partners and the private sector to implement and deliver on the commitments to the National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325.
She noted that this had currently been domesticated in 13 states.
According to her, the NAP had contributed to security reforms in the country particularly on the adoption of gender responsive policies by the Nigeria military.
She listed the inauguration of a security sector gender reference group, launch of website for Nigeria on women, peace and security, among others as other contributions of the NAP.
On her part, the Gender Advisor, Armed Forces of Nigeria, Brig. Gen. Christianah Thomas, said the armed forces of Nigeria had over the years inducted several policies and initiatives geared toward integrating gender perspectives across the services.
Thomas reiterated the commitment of the service toward promoting gender equity and advancing the course of peace and security.
She added that the office of the gender advisors to follow-up on the progress toward implementation and institutionalisation of the UNSCR 1325, had been established.
Dr Tunji Asaolu, Nigerian Representative, African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) reiterated the commitment of the union toward advocating for meaningful participation and leadership of women and their efforts toward attaining gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He then stressed the need for more partnership from the AU system and other international partners to address the low performance, challenges and chances for Nigerian women and girl-child, in contributing to national development.
