Abuja, Aug. 29, 2024 (TheGavel) — Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their increased enlistment of female combatants.
Jonathan made the commendation at the 2024 Annual Defence Headquarters Gender Conference held in Abuja on Thursday. She was present as the Chief Launcher of the Armed Forces Gender Magazine.
Speaking at the conference, Jonathan highlighted the theme, “Mainstreaming Women, Peace and Security Agenda for Enhanced Operational Efficiency of the Armed Forces,” noting its relevance in light of global security challenges. She emphasized that the increased participation of women in peacekeeping reflects a long-awaited recognition of Nigerian women’s capabilities.
“A few years ago, it was rare to see female combatants in the Nigerian military due to legislative restrictions. However, following a policy change in 2011 during the presidency of my husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, women were allowed entry into the Nigerian Defence Academy as combatants,” she said. This policy shift aligns with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for national action plans to enhance women’s roles in peace and security.
Jonathan lauded the current inclusion of women across the army, navy, and air force, acknowledging their contributions to peacekeeping missions worldwide. She expressed satisfaction with the advancement of Nigerian women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
As a former first lady and gender advocate, Jonathan urged military women to maintain high standards of discipline and professionalism, serving as role models to inspire other young women. She also called for continued efforts to ensure national security and peace.
UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, also commended the Nigerian military for achieving 27.9% female participation in peacekeeping operations, exceeding the UN’s recommended 17% benchmark. Eyong highlighted the support provided by UN Women and the National Institute of Legislative Studies in reviewing key security legislation.
She urged legislators, security sector institutions, and other stakeholders to support the amendment of laws to foster a gender-sensitive environment and enhance effectiveness. Additionally, she called for the adoption of a third national action plan on women, peace, and security and emphasized the need for continued support from security leaders and stakeholders in implementing and monitoring the policy.
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