UNWomen mulls review of SAP to enhance gender responsive in security operations
Omeiza Bilal
The UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, has called for a for a review of the State Action Plan (SAP) due to emerging security challenges’
Eyong, who made this known at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop in Yobe State, noted that a growing demand for more robust policy documents have highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the existing SAPs.
The SAPs which were originally developed and launched in 2014, have been pivotal in promoting peace and security in these regions. However, with weak implementation, stakeholders say it has become imperative to carry out a review.
Eyong, who was represented by the UN Women Programme Coordinator WPS, Peter Mancha, also handed over the Guide on the Nigerian Legislature’s Role in Advancing Women, Peace and Security produced by UN Women to the Speaker.
The Guide supports stronger engagement of legislators at both national and state levels to advocate for and support measures to implement Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. This reaffirms UN Women’s goal to integrate new peace and security issues and to establish and strengthen coordination mechanisms that will enhance the implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes.
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.
The workshop was organized by UNWomen with funding from the Government of Germany. It was aimed at reviewing the Yobe State Action Plan (SAP) as part of the Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project (Phase II).
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Speaker of the Yobe House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, commended UN Women for their initiative in organizing the function.
The Speaker who was represented by the Deputy Speaker and House Committee Chair on Security, Hon. Ya’u Usman Dachia, emphasized that the timing of the workshop was ideal as the House was actively working on policies to support WPS initiatives.
He highlighted the importance of education and awareness on issues concerning Women, Peace, and Security and pledged unwavering support and protection for victims of gender-based violence. He further assured all stakeholders that the entire Yobe State House of Assembly was aligned with these goals.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ya Jalo Badama, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to partnering with UN Women. She pointed out the Ministry’s dedication to identifying key results and successes from the first phase of the State Action Plan (SAP) and addressing emerging challenges. Commissioner Badama expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts would continue to yield significant progress in enhancing the role of women in peace and security operations within the state.
The State Action Plan (SAP) is an adaptation of the National Action Plan, which aims to implement the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security through an articulated strategy document called action plan while the NAP seeks to increase the number of women involved in peace and security matters at the federal, state, local or community levels.
