NDC organised Two-Day Workshop on Promotion of Women’s Network/Association in the Security Sector

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, says that balanced gender representation can significantly improve operational outcomes in the security sector. The Commandant, who was represented by College Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Titus Dauda, said this at Two-Day Workshop on Promotion of Women’s Network/Association in the Security Sector organised by NDC on Wednesday in Abuja. The theme of the workshop is, “Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria (Phase II).

He said the event had created opportunity for wives associations of the Nigerian army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence to play crucial role in achieving operational successes in the security sector. According to him, their presence underscores the crucial role that families, particularly women, play in the strength and resilience of security institutions in an ever evolving world. Olotu said the workshop was expected to engage participants in comprehensive discussions as well as shared insights into identifying viable and actionable strategies that would inspire policy changes in the various security institutions.

The UN Women Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, said the UN Security Council had called on all member states to ensure that women were given space to contribute to peace and security. Eyong was represented at the event by Mr Peter Mancha, Programme Specialist, Women, Peace and Security, UN Women. She said the UN Security Council Resolution recognized that women were the ones that bore the brunt of violent conflicts, adding that women and children formed the majority in IDP camps in Nigeria.

Eyong commended the Government of Nigeria for developing the first national action Plan on women, peace and security in 2013; the second one in 2017 and the third currently being developed. The Coordinator, NDC Officers Wives Association (NDCOWA), Mrs Rhoda Olotu, commended the College’s Center for Strategic Research and Studies for putting the workshop together. Mrs Olotu said there was the need to include the officers wives association to the drive for gender equality to be able to achieve success.

She said the workshop held profound significance not only for the security sector institutions, but also for women across the globe.