The commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Oluwuyiwa Olotu, has emphasised the need for inclusive security measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, during armed conflicts.

Mr Olotu made the call in Abuja on Monday at the opening of training for gender focal officers in the security sector, organised by the NDC Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS).

The NDC organises the training in collaboration with the UN Women in Nigeria.

Represented by the provost of the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at NDC, Adams Ahmed, he said gender mainstreaming was crucial in security institutions.

He added that it aligned with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates women’s participation in peace and security processes.

Mr Olotu stressed that women and children are the most affected in armed conflicts, adding that security institutions must adopt gender-sensitive policies to address their vulnerabilities.

He noted that gender focal officers face challenges like inadequate training and resources, stressing that the training would equip them with skills to drive gender-responsive reforms.

“As part of its commitment to gender inclusion, the NDC has integrated structured gender training into its regular curriculum, including virtual courses targeting security personnel.

“For the first time, we have a woman as a directing staff at NDC; She excelled, proving that gender mainstreaming is about competence, not tokenism,” he said.

Meanwhile, the country representative of UN Women in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, has commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing national action plans on women, peace, and security.

Ms Eyong, represented by the programme manager, Peter Mancha, said the Nigerian military, police, and civil defence had launched gender policies, ensuring that security personnel address gender-based violence using international best practices.

“Traditional councils in states like Gombe and Plateau now include women in decision-making on peace and security. Security institutions should do the same,” she said.

Similarly, Jumoke Jenyo, Head of the Department of Conflict, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Studies at NDC, emphasised the importance of institutional commitment to gender mainstreaming in the security sector.

Ms Jenyo also stressed the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure gender policies were effectively implemented within security institutions.

(NAN)