Stakeholders support the adoption of gender-sensitive approaches to sexual and gender-based violence in the security sector

Stakeholders from security institutions, government agencies, civil society, diplomatic missions and development partners have called for gender-sensitive approaches to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within Nigeria’s security operations.

The call was made on Tuesday during a multi-stakeholder national policy dialogue organized by the Center for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC), the International Chapter for Transparency in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), with the support of the Irish Government, in Abuja.

The dialogue was themed “Strengthening human rights-centred and gender-sensitive approaches to SGBV in defense and security operations in Nigeria”.

The Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said the effectiveness of defense and security institutions should not be measured solely by their operational capacity.

He said SGBV remains a serious concern that can affect security personnel, civilians interacting with security agencies, persons in detention or custody, communities affected by conflict and insecurity.

According to him, the availability of safe, accessible, confidential and reporting mechanisms is essential to ensure that SGBV allegations are adequately addressed.

Rafsanjani expressed concerns about secrecy and power imbalances as some of the factors that could discourage victims and complainants from reporting incidents.

He said addressing these challenges requires more than policies on paper, stressing that security institutions must establish systems that staff and members of the public can trust and use safely.

He urged stakeholders to evaluate how effectively existing commitments and mechanisms work in practice, whether reporting channels are accessible, whether survivors are adequately protected.

Rafsanjani also called for greater integration of gender considerations in recruitment, employment, leadership, training, operational planning and institutional decision-making.

“Our shared responsibility is to build institutions where reporting abuse does not expose those who report to further vulnerability; where legitimate complaints are treated seriously; where survivors have access to adequate support and referral; where staff understand their responsibilities,” she said.

He said there are five priority areas for dialogue: prevention, safe reporting, institutional accountability, gender-sensitive security operations, coordination and supervision.

Representing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Head of Complaint Response Unit (CRU), SP Awu Fidelis Jonah, assured the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in preventing SGBV and enhancing accountability.

According to him, preventing and responding effectively to SGBV requires security institutions to operate with professionalism, integrity, responsibility and respect for human dignity.

He said the police force is committed to ensuring that its operations are guided by the Constitution, relevant laws, human rights principles and professional policing standards.

“Victims and survivors must be treated with dignity, confidentiality and sensitivity, while perpetrators must be subjected to proper investigation and legal accountability,” he said.

SP Jonah highlighted the role of the Complaints Response Unit as an accountability mechanism through which members of the public can report complaints and allegations of police misconduct.

He said effective management, investigation, follow-up and resolution of complaints are important to building public trust and promoting a culture of accountability within the Force.

The Head of Humanitarian Development at the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, Samuel Ameh, said the Irish Government is proud to support CISLAC/TI-Nigeria in advancing efforts to address gender-based sexual violence and promote good governance.

He said integrating human rights principles into security operations strengthens the protection of survivors, improves access to justice and promotes accountability.

“Ireland remains committed to supporting Nigerian institutions and civil society in building stronger systems, strengthening oversight mechanisms and advancing reforms that support human rights and gender equality,” he said.

Ameh commended CISLAC leadership and participants for their continued commitment to gender-sensitive governance and the protection of citizens’ rights and dignity.

First Secretary of the Netherlands Embassy Dineke Traore-Vrolyk said that security, human rights, integrity and responsibility must go hand in hand.

He said effective security institutions must protect the people they serve, operate in a professional and transparent manner, and earn the public’s trust.

Traore-Vrolyk said the Netherlands’ partnership with CISLAC, particularly its program focused on integrity risks in finance, personnel, operations and procurement, as well as gender inclusion and access to information.

He said the program demonstrated the value of sustained engagement between civil society and security institutions.

She said the program also promoted greater participation of women in recruitment, appointment, promotion and employment.