The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on Thursday inaugurated the National Advisory Committee on implementation of the 2nd National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, said the area in focus included prevention, preparedness, participation and representation.
She said others were protection, persecution, crisis management, early recovery, post reconstruction, partnership coordination and management.
“During the implementation of NAP in Nigeria, several gaps and emerging peace and security issues were observed at all levels.
“The need to revise the plan by integrating relevant components for a more comprehensive and strategic approach were emphasised by stakeholders at different fora.
“This includes the national conference organised to commemorate the 15th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria.
“Several initiatives were conducted to facilitate the revision process.
“These include capacity building and strategy meetings with national and international partners, desk review of relevant documents, zonal stakeholders consultative review meeting in the six geo political zones,” she said.
The Minister said the active participation and contributions by development partners, government ministries, department and agencies, CSOs, traditional and religious institutions would create a springboard for NAP at both state and national level.
She said the need to sustain the momentum could not be over emphasised, saying concerted efforts should be developed and implemented for State Action Plan with adequate funding for the sustainability of NAP.
“The Ministry would work closely with states, key MDAs , civil society organisations as well as private sector to deliver on the commitments to NAP.
“A list of key actors critical to successful implementation of NAP include Ministry of Justice, office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Refugees Commission.
“Others include religious and traditional leaders, security sector actors, humanitarian response organisation, academics, international agencies, the private sector, media and civil society actors,” she said.
Alhassan said in order to ensure a seamless operation and cooperation of bodies at all levels, the Permanent Secretary would chair the NAP committee.
The UN Gender Adviser, Ms Comfort Lamptey, was represented by the Programme Manager on Peace and Security, Mrs Njeri Karuru .
Lamptey said the members of the advisory committee should explore and strengthen partnership by strategising for the efficient implementation monitoring and reporting of NAP with stakeholders at all levels.
“The need to have State Action Plan (SAP) in all states including budgetary provision for implementation by government and other stakeholders cannot be over emphasised.
“The area in the strategy that is directly linked UNSCR 1325 is aimed at ensuring that women and girls contribute to building sustainable peace and resilience and benefit equally from humanitarian action.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNSCR on Women, Peace and Security was adopted by the UN Security Council on Oct. 31, 2000.
The resolution called for a comprehensive assessment on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, role of women in peace building, gender dimension peace processes and conflict resolution. (NAN)
