The Borno Director Women Affairs making presentation on behalf of the commissioner at the stakeholders workshop on Thursday
Stakeholders in Borno State on Thursday held a consultative workshop on the review of the State Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in the state.
The UNSCR 1325 among others call for increased participation of women at all levels of decision-making for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict.
In her welcome address at the meeting organized by UN Women in collaboration with the Borno Ministry of Women Affairs in Maiduguri, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, described the meeting as critical in the ongoing peace building in the state.
Zuwaira, who was represented by the Director Women Affairs of the ministry, Falmata Omar Lawan, tasked stakeholders on fruitful discussions, innovative ideas and strategies that would ensure significant strides toward a more peaceful and equitable world.
“Today, we gather to review our Borno State Action Plan (BSAP), a pivotal document that translates the principles of UNSCR 1325 into concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
“This workshop is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, identify gaps, and chart a path forward to ensure that our efforts are as effective and inclusive as possible.
“Your presence here today signifies a collective commitment to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Through our collaborative efforts, we can ensure that women are not only protected but also empowered to play a central role in building sustainable peace,” Zuwaira said.
In his message presented at the occasion, the Programme Manager of UN Women, Mr Peter Mancha, said the workshop was in line with phase 11 of enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria.
Mancha said the workshop would collate results, achievements, success stories, challenges and lessons learnt from the first BSAP and the identification of emerging peace and security issues in the state.
“This will provide background information required to initiate the development of the second BSAP by the state government, with support from UN Women and the Government of Germany.
“The first BSAP was launched since 2014, hence, long overdue for review and subsequent development of the 2nd generation plan that will be multi-sectoral and contextualized to respond to emerging peace and security issues in Borno State.”
In his goodwill message on behalf of civil society organizations, the Executive Director of Network of Civil Society Organizations in Borno, Comrade Bulama Abiso, noted the vital role of women in peace building and development and assured the sustained support of CSOs to women empowerment.
Navy Captain Muhammad Ahmed Abdullahi, who is the Head of Civil-Military Cooperation of Joint Task Force North East “Operation Hadin Kai”, who spoke on behalf of the Theatre Commander, said the military remain committed to rules of engagement in the fight against terrorists.
He added that this is particularly in the area of protecting women and children being used as human shields by the terrorists.
Abdullahi, who used the occasion to enlighten the meeting on recent security situation in Borno, lamented the recent use of women for suicide attacks in Gwoza town, and urged the public to support the military by being more security conscious in crowded areas to avert such surprise attacks during gatherings.
While allaying the fears of the public regarding the return of suicide attacks, Abdullahi debunked rumours that terrorists have deployed some suicide bombers in Borno.
According to him, the military has within the past few months rescued over 400 women and children from terrorists.
He said that those rescued are now being processed at its Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Maiduguri that has been transformed from a detention centre to a rehabilitation centre that is providing skills acquisition training.
In his remarks on behalf of the Borno Police Command, DCP Ahmad Mohammad Bello, urged for the criminalization of stigmatising victims of Sexual and Gender base violence to enhance the fight against rape and related offences.
Bello observed that another major thing that needed to be addressed is the issue of rape cases being withdrawn due to the culture of silence and stigmatization.
Bello said on some occasions while sexual violence case is progressing, prosecutors would just see court affidavits from victims relations saying they want to withdraw the case.
The DCP observed that many of such withdrawal of cases has to do with fear of stigmatization.
He explained that on many such occasions, the victims wanted justice but were put in a dilemma.
Bello advocated for a law to keep such requests of withdrawal under Keep In View (KIV) for some period of time to enable the victim to finally decide on the matter.
He urged UN Women and other stakeholders to sponsor a bill to address some of the loopholes slowing the fight against sexual and gender based violence in the society.
Speaking on behalf of Borno House of Assembly, the Director, Legislative Processing, Baba Kura Maina, assured the legislative support on issues, particularly passage of laws aimed at promoting human rights and good governance.
The spokesman of NSCDC at the workshop, Mohammed Ismail, who described the meeting as timely, reiterated the commitment of the paramilitary organization to the security and dignity of girls and women, pointing out that the organization already has a dedicated desk for that.
In their respective remarks on behalf of traditional and religious leaders, the District Head of Maidandari, and the representative of Borno branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), lauded the renewed commitment to enhance the contribution of women to peace, and assured their sustain support and commitment to such projects.
Highlights of the workshop is the presentation of an overview on the Borno State Action Plan for implementation of UNSCR 1325 with regards to successes, challenges and lessons Learned by the director women affairs in the state ministry of women affairs.
Other presentations at the workshop include “The Journey of UNSCR 1325 & Domestication in Nigeria (NAP & SAPs) ” and “The Security & Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria (phase 11)”.
