Women Advocacy, Other Groups Called For Over 30% Women Representation In Police Other Inclusion Measures …As Bill Proposes For 15%

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

Women Rights advocacy and other stakeholders have called for increase in the percentage of women inclusion in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) because of their significance in ensuring effective policing in line with the global best practices.

They made the call in their various submissions at a one-day public hearing on a proposed Bill to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 seeking to provide 15% slot in recruitment and other issues to ensure gender inclusion in the Nigeria Police.

It was titled, “A Bill For An Act To Amend The Nigeria Police Act No 2, 2020 To Ensure At least 15 Percent Women Representation In The Recruitment Of Police Officers, Require The Nigeria Police Force To Provide And Maintain Genuine Responsive Compliance Programme In The Recruitment, Training, Marital Status, Posting And Discipline Of Police Officers And Ensure The Establishment Of A Unit To Monitor And Maintain Records of Gender Responsive Compliance Programme; And For Related Matters (HB 1717)”.

In its submission, Women Against Violence and Exploitation (WAVE) Foundation Africa called for the Institutionalisation of “Gender quotas beyond recruitment.

It stated, “While the Bill proposed a 15% representation in recruitment, we recommend extending this to include leadership positions, promotions, and decision making roles within the Nigeria Police Force”.

Similarly, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria stated that, the Bill was a welcome development towards gender inclusion, equality, and institutional reform within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

As part of recommendation it suggested that, “The Nigeria Police Force shall ensure not less than fifteen percent (15%) women representation in its annual recruitment exercise and shall take progressive measures to increase this proportion to not less than thirty-five (35%) within ten (10) years”.

In its submission before the Committee, the National Human Rights Commission proposes that, before the passage of any legislation, it should pass human rights impact assessment test.

It stated, “This means that the proposed legislation must improve the general enjoyment of the human rights of Nigerians and must be in keeping with internationally recognized human rights norms and best practices.

“The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recognizes the effort being put towards promoting gender inclusion and equality within the Nigeria Police. This Bill aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under several International and regional human rights instruments to which the country is a State party particularly Article 7 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)”.

Other women and advocacy groups that shared the same view and support for the Bill include, Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC); The Nigerian Women Trust Fund; CISLAC and others.

In his address,Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, said that women must no longer be sidelined within the Nigeria Police Force because they play a crucial role in policing.

He informed that, the Bill sponsored by the Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara seeks to amend the Nigeria Police Act, mandating at least 15 percent female representation in police recruitment and reforming gender-related policies across the Force.

On its part, the Ministry of Police Affairs represented by an official of its legal unit, Okorie Kalu stated that, it is in support of the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act seeking to guarantee at least 15 percent women representation in police recruitment and enforce gender-responsive reforms across the Force.

He said, “The amendment of Section 9 (1)(F) of the Police Act to address historical gender gaps and discriminatory provisions is an applaudable step in revolutionizing the Nigeria Police Force. The Ministry has no objection to the amendment.”

Declaring the Public hearing open, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, said that raising the number of women in the Nigeria Police Force is not just a gender issue but a matter of justice, fairness, and improved policing outcomes.

According to him, the Nigerian Police has operated for too long with a disproportionately low number of women, especially in leadership positions, a situation that has limited opportunities for qualified women and weakened the institution.