National Workshop : Towards the Operationalisation of the Women's Platform on Security Sector Reform and Governance in Nigeria

Since July 2019, FES PSCC is implementing the "Security for All" project, co-funded by the European Union Delegation in Dakar, which aims to promote inclusive security and democratic governance through the participation of civil society organisations in Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon and the ECOWAS region. One of the main components of this project is the establishment of a regional women's platform for security sector reform and governance.  The operationalisation activities of this platform were started respectively with an expert meeting and a regional conference for the launch followed by virtual sessions for capacity building of civil society actors (in SSR, advocacy, lobbying and communication) and cohesion between the Defence and Security Forces as well as discussions on better involvement of women and consideration of their needs in this area. Since then, several Cameroonian civil society organisations have joined the regional platform according to the provisions that were discussed at previous meetings.

This meeting served as a platform to deepen the conversations around women and security sector reform and governance by bringing together civil society organisations, defence and security forces and other stakeholders who can add their perspectives to enhance dialogue and collaboration. Participants discussed lobbying and advocacy activities, initiatives and opportunities that could impact on existing frameworks and policies and lead to greater involvement, participation, protection and promotion of women in security sector reform and governance processes in Nigeria. In this regard, a national committee was established to coordinate activities to be implemented at the national level by the regional women's platform. Similarly, a short, medium and long term action plan was drawn up during the group work that was held.