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The Commissioners of Women Affairs from the seven states of the northwest zone have demanded for gender inclusion in peace and security policy framework in the region.
The commissioners made the demand in Kaduna during their roundtable meeting organised by Northwest Governors’ Coordination Desk supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the theme, “Harnessing Women’s Voices for Lasting Peace.”
The commissioners acknowledged the disproportionate impact of insecurity on women and recognised their active participation in peacebuilding efforts.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting signed by the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna State, Hajia Rabi Salisu Ibrahim, they demanded the inclusion of Women Affairs Commissioners in security councils.
They noted that allowing them to take part in security, peace process and decision making would ensure that women’s voices are effectively represented.
“We are committed to collaborating across various sectors to promote sustainable development and empowerment as a resilience-mechanism to strengthen peace and security,” they stated.
They called for the full implementation of existing legal frameworks related to gender as well as the establishment of legal frameworks in areas where they do not yet exist to protect women, children and other vulnerable groups.
They also called for the need to integrate gender considerations across all facets of policies and processes related to peace, security and development and ensure that women’s perspectives are included in all planning and decision-making processes.
The commissioners pledged to support the Northwest Governors’ Coordination Desk in designing, developing and implementing a regional strategic framework on peace, security and development.
Earlier in his speech, the coordinator, Northwest Governors’ Coordination Desk, Jibril Hamza, explained that women were not only victims of conflict but also agents of change uniquely positioned to bridge divides, rebuild communities and drive sustainable development.
He said, “Today, we gather with the shared vision of amplifying women’s voices and leveraging their participation to address the pressing challenges of insecurity, social cohesion and development in the Northwest region.”
The meeting had in attendance the Women Affairs commissioners from Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
