- Says there is a need to review laws in this regard
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called upon the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to actively promote the inclusion of women in the military. In a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady delivered this charge through an address read by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, during the Defence Headquarters’ one-day Gender Mainstreaming Conference, themed “Building Capacity Through Gender Mainstreaming to Meet Security Challenges.”
Commending the Armed Forces of Nigeria for organizing the timely conference, the First Lady emphasized the importance of the chosen theme, stating, “The theme is apt because it is about shaping a safer, better, and more equitable world for all.” She lauded the Armed Forces for embracing the gender mainstreaming concept in line with Global Best Practices and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
Highlighting the evolving complexity of security challenges in the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu stressed the need for innovative and comprehensive approaches, identifying gender mainstreaming as a powerful tool in addressing these challenges. She emphasized that gender perspectives should be integrated into security policies and strategies, advocating for increased participation and leadership of women within the forces.
The First Lady underscored the multifaceted nature of security, encompassing not only military strength but also the protection of human rights, economic stability, and social and environmental sustainability. She called for collective efforts in advancing gender mainstreaming, urging the integration of gender sensitivity and awareness into education and training programs for security personnel.
Senator Tinubu strongly advocated against discrimination based on marital or maternal status for women in the military. She emphasized the importance of cooperation in eliminating gender-based violence within security forces.
Providing insights into her Renewed Hope Initiative project, the First Lady highlighted efforts to empower women through access to training, education, laptops, and grants. She expressed the belief that empowering women leads to the empowerment of communities and nations.
In response, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Baduru, applauded the First Lady’s recommendations and pledged to explore their implementation. The event also marked the launch of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Defence Gender magazine, featuring Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON as the cover story.
