Women commissioners from Nigeria’s North West states are calling for their inclusion in security council meetings to tackle the region’s insecurity challenges.
This demand was made at a roundtable discussion in Kaduna, where commissioners from seven states gathered to strategize on promoting peace and security.
According to Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, women are disproportionately affected by banditry and conflicts in the region.
“We want to speak on behalf of the women about how it affects us directly,” she emphasized.
The commissioners believe that their participation in security meetings would amplify women’s voices and ensure effective representation in decision-making processes.
They also pledged to support the North West Governors’ Coordination Desk in designing a regional strategic framework on peace and security.
This development echoes the United Nations’ recognition of women as peacebuilders.
As noted by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, women are not only victims of conflict but also agents of change; uniquely positioned to bridge divides, rebuild communities, and drive sustainable development.
Guterres emphasized that women are not only victims of conflict but also agents of change, uniquely positioned to bridge divides, rebuild communities, and drive sustainable development.
The North West Governors’ Coordinator Desk, Jibril Hamza Ahmed, acknowledged that the Desk, in collaboration with partners such as UNDP, recognizes the critical role women play in fostering peace and security in the country.
Meanwhile, the commissioners agreed to collaborate across various sectors to promote sustainable development and empowerment as resilience mechanisms to strengthen peace and security.
They also resolved to support the North West Governors’ Coordination Desk in designing, developing, and implementing a regional strategic framework on Peace and Security.
This is by demanding inclusion in security council meetings, the North West women commissioners are taking a crucial step towards amplifying women’s voices and promoting peace and security in the region.
