The Director of Legal Services, Naval Headquarters, Captain (Nigerian Navy) Grace Ikhuoya Ofonime Ukpong, recently delivered a lecture titled ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Support Operations (PSOs)’ to participants of Naval Warfare (NWC) 10 of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN). The lecture held at the NWCN Auditorium focused on the relevance of gender mainstreaming to contemporary PSOs and the need to incorporate gender considerations into operational planning and execution.
Captain (Nigerian Navy) GIO Ukpong explained that gender mainstreaming involves assessing the implications of planned actions, policies, programmes and operations for both men and women, while ensuring that gender perspectives are incorporated into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of such activities. She noted that the integration of gender perspectives into PSOs goes beyond issues of equity and justice, stressing that it has significant operational value. According to her, gender mainstreaming provides a broader understanding of the operational environment and helps identify the different threats, vulnerabilities, priorities and capabilities of men, women, boys and girls affected by conflict. Speaking on Nigeria's contribution to gender mainstreaming in PSOs, the Guest Speaker noted that Nigeria adopted its first National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 in 2013, which was subsequently revised, while the Armed Forces of Nigeria adopted the Gender Policy for the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2021. She also highlighted the participation of Nigerian female military personnel in international PSOs, including ECOMOG, UNMIL, UNAMID, MONUSCO, MINUSMA and MINUSCA, where they served in various capacities, including staff officers, military observers and members of Nigerian contingents.
In his closing remarks, the Commandant NWCN, Rear Admiral MA Muye, commended the Guest Speaker for the comprehensive presentation and underscored the importance of gender mainstreaming to contemporary military operations and peace support efforts. He noted that the knowledge gained from the lecture would enhance participants’ understanding of the operational relevance of gender perspectives and contribute to more effective planning and execution of future military operations.
