Women Affairs Commissioners in the seven states in the North West Zone have called for gender consideration in all policies to ensure that women’s perspectives are included in planning and decision-making processes. They also advocated for their inclusion in security council meetings of their states.
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting on Thursday in Kaduna, the women commissioners said women’s perspectives are imperative to all development planning and decision-making processes.
The communique signed by Rabi Salisu Ibrahim, Kaduna state Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, stressed that allowing commissioners for women affairs to participate in the security, peace process and decision making will ensure that women’s voices are effectively represented.
The communique emphasized that “the inclusion of women in peacebuilding is not merely a moral obligation, but a critical necessity to address the region’s multifaceted challenges.”
“During the session, the commissioners acknowledged the disproportionate impact of insecurity on women and recognized their active participation in peacebuilding efforts”, the communique reads.
“The following common positions were agreed upon: Inclusion of Women Affairs Commissioners in Security Councils:
“The commissioners advocated for the inclusion of women affairs commissioners in the security councils of states, allowing them to take part in security, peace process and decision making to ensure that women’s voices are effectively represented.”
The communique said the commissioners are committed to collaborating with various sectors to promote sustainable development and empowerment as a mechanism to strengthen peace and security.
The commissioners also pledged to support the North West Governors Coordination Desk in designing, developing, and implementing a regional strategic framework on peace, security, and development.
The commissioners called for the “full implementation of existing legal frameworks related to gender, as well as the establishment of legal frameworks in areas where they do not yet exist, to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.”
The communique further called for gender considerations across all facets of policies and processes related to peace, security, and development to ensure that women’s perspectives are included in all planning and decision-making processes.
The commissioners resolved to advance the role of women in promoting peace and security in the region.
The meeting had in attendance, commissioners of women affairs from Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states.
North West women affairs commissioners call for gender considerations in policy implementations
