March 4, 2022
UN Women, Commit To Gender Equality, Peace, Security in Kaduna, Nigeria
United Nations (UN) Women and the Kaduna State government have reiterated commitment to the promotion of gender equality, peace and security in the state in particular and Nigeria in general. This formed major decisions reached at the UN Women organised stakeholders consultative meeting in Kaduna titled, “Programme on Women, Peace & Security in Nigeria.”
The programme is in partnership with the government of Nigeria, and with funding support from the government of Norway.
Participants at the event agreed that there is gender inequality in political participation in the country, noting that women are sidelined by men in elective positions.
However, some participants attributed non-inclusion of women in some elective positions to religious and cultural factors, coupled with high financial expenses attached to seeking such positions.
Earlier, the Kaduna State commissioner for human services and social development, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba informed that the state was already working to achieve the National Action Plan (NAP) which focuses on the role of women in peace, security, and conflict situations.
Baba also said that the state would design implementable activities that could enhance the overall safety and wellbeing of women and children during conflict and violence in the state.
She said, “In 2006, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs articulated the National Gender Policy (NGP) as one of the national instruments aimed at realizing Nigeria’s national and international commitments as enshrined in policy and treaty documents promoting and protecting women’s human rights in public and private spaces including a full implementation of the 35% affirmative action that includes women in all governance processes.
“This gave birth to the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy adopted on the premise that equitable investment in adolescent girls and women, boys and girls is not simply a question of human rights, it makes socio-economic sense.
“The fifth objective of the policy which sought to create a safe and sustainable environment free from violence and conflict had a sub-activity to develop and implement a State Action Plan for UN Resolution 1325 on gender and conflict management in the context of women, peace, and security.
“In 2016, the Kaduna State Government domiciled the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace, and security, and launched the Kaduna State Action Plan (KADSAP) for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions in the state.
“The KADSAP Result (2017-2019) derived from UNSCR 1325 and the National Action Plan (NAP) was to focus on the location of women about peace, security, and conflict and to design implementable activities that could enhance the overall safety and wellbeing of women and children about conflict and violence in the state.
“The principles and pillars of peace and security in Kaduna State adapted from NAP sought to provide an absolute need for prevention, protection, participation, promotion, and prosecution to guarantee rights, safety, and welfare of women and children, the infirm, and their communities against and in times of conflict.”
In his remarks, the Kaduna State commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan said the state government is concerned and interested in issues that could enhance the well-being of women.
