Tallen Lauds CDS Over Armed Forces Gender Policy
By Ignatius Ushie
Dame Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs, on Tuesday lauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor for taking the bold step to launch the Armed Forces Gender Policy.
The Minister, gave the commendation during a Consultative Meeting of the Security Sector Reference Group on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria, which held in Abuja.
She said that by the policy, the CDS has displayed unalloyed support for mainstreaming gender in the Nigeria Armed Forces, adding that the ministry will soon decorate him.
“Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor for taking the bold step to Launch the Armed Forces Gender Policy. By this, he has displayed his unalloyed support for mainstreaming gender in the Nigeria Armed Forces. This is worthy of commendation and he stands out as our true Hero and champion. And we will soon reach out to him to decorate him. We are hoping that one day a woman will occupy this position”. She said
Tallen added that as the country work towards developing the third National Action Plan (NAP-3), the experiences and lessons learnt in the implementation of NAP-1 and NAP-2 would serve as reference point.
According to her, NAP-3 is expected to identify and capture current Women, Peace and Security priorities and key interventions needs in Nigeria, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging issues, and specifics for each of the six geo-political zones of the Country.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure you that under my watch, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will lead on the implementation of this initiative. We will work in partnership with and support from partners, including the services of Women, Peace and Security expert consultants. We are already working with UN Women to support us technically for quality delivery and attainment of the set goal and objectives. Other organizations have also indicated interest to work with us in carrying out this activity.
“We will also engage the three arms of Government (Executive, Judiciary and Legislature) at the National and State levels in the process, including identification of synergy between their respective mandates and the provisions of UNSCR 1325. The Ministry will also work closely other key stakeholders; including the Security Sector, Civil Society Organizations, Women Groups/Networks and the National Advisory body for the implementation of NAP in Nigeria. This approach will enhance collective ownership by National institutions for better implementation of NAP-3” she said.
Tallen further emphasized the need to pay attention to the domestication of the UNSCR 1325 in the six geo-political zones of the country while planning for the development of NAP-3.
According to her, since the implementation of the resolution in Nigeria, only 14 States have developed their State Action Plans. They she said include: Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Plateau, Rivers, Nasarawa and Yobe, adding that10 out of these States have gone further to develop their Local Action Plans. She said.