By Maryam Garba Hassan
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has commended the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, for mainstreaming gender in the operations of the Nigeria Police and his resolve to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
A statement signed yesterday in Abuja by Director Press at the ministry, Saghir el Mohammed, stated that the minister gave the commendation in response to the recent reconstitution of the Force Gender Unit and the appointment of CSP Olabisi Kolawale as Force Gender Adviser by the IGP.
According to the statement, the Minister said the development will ensure the implementation of a robust capacity building plan for officers in gender-related issues, and minimise the alarming rise of domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria, especially wife battering and rape.
“We are deeply encouraged by the development, and we will continue to renew our partnership with the Nigeria Police to address gender based violence in the country,” she stated.
She also commended the Nigeria Police for the launch of a Force Gender Policy in 2012, saying the Nigeria Police was indeed sincere in its commitment to protect Nigerian women from rape, domestic and sexual violence, abduction and women trafficking, among others.
Hajiya Zainab called on other security agencies in the country to mainstream gender in their operations and at the same time provide special training to their personnel on how to handle women issues and concerns.
She also renewed her call for the inclusion of more women in the initiation, planning and execution of peace and security issues in the country, stressing that their involvement will guarantee peaceful resolution of the current security challenges facing the country.
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