Women Affairs Minister seeks gender integration into security governance

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has said achieving sustainable gender integration into security sector governance, peace building and post – conflict reconstruction must go beyond surface-level intervention.

This comes amid calls by the Women, Peace and Security Sector Reference Group for the integration of gender into security sector governance.

Speaking at the 5th annual forum of the Reference Group held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister emphasized that the integration of gender into security sector governance and peace building in Nigeria must be backed by strong political will.

Mrs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that Nigeria remains a signatory to multiple international instruments that reinforce the need for gender-sensitive security governance, saying that the domestication of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325), through the Nigeria’s First National Action Plan (NAP) in 2013 was a bold step in mainstreaming gender in national security frameworks.

She said the country has further included the Second (NAP) in 2017 – 2020, and now the Third (NAP) in 2024-2028, which will provide a comprehensive plan for integrating gender into security sector governance.

The Minister recounted her several encounters with young female officers who had given years of dedicated service yet struggled against systemic barriers that hindered their career progression.

According to her, their stories are not an isolated one, adding that across our security architecture, women continue to be underrepresented in strategic decision-making roles, despite their demonstrated competence and contributions to safeguarding our nation.

She said the under-representation of women in the security governance has continued to fuel her resolve to support efforts of the Reference Group, to break down these institutional barriers, ensure equitable representation, and drive systemic change that integrates gender responsiveness within our security framework.

“I stand before you today, not only as the Minister of Women Affairs but as a public servant who has witnessed firsthand the resilience, sacrifices, and struggles of Nigerian women, particularly those serving in our security institutions.

“My journey in public service, from leading two critical agencies focused on human trafficking, migration, refugees, and serving as the Minister of State for Police Affairs, has granted me a unique perspective on the indispensable role of women in shaping national security and peacebuilding efforts.

“While we have made commendable progress, the reality remains that women and girls continue to bear the greater brunt of insecurity in Nigeria, whether as victims of gender-based violence, internally displaced persons, or as those facing structural barriers within our security institutions.

“Today’s engagement therefore demands a renewed sense of urgency. We are not here to merely discuss women’s participation in the security sector in conceptual terms; rather, we are here to accelerate the institutionalization of gender-sensitive security reforms that translate into measurable outcomes.

“We must address the structural and operational barriers that continue to limit women’s meaningful engagement in security governance, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

“What excites me also, is that the progress we make here will not only impact women in uniform but will ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s overall security and stability” the Minister noted.

Mrs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also appealed to all Security Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and heads of paramilitary institutions to take the forefront in supporting the full implementation of Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.