Although gender issues have gained visibility within the Nigeria Police Force nationwide, there is growing concern that key matters having to do with institutionalizing gender mainstreaming in the practice and operations of the Force in such a way as to enhance women empowerment and curbing Gender-Based Violence have remained largely unimplemented.
A recent research conducted on “Institutional Capacity Study of the Nigeria Police Force for Gender Mainstreaming” by experts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, unravelled far-reaching findings believed to be inimical to operational effectiveness and institutional credibility of the Police.
The study, sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFUND)was a national study conducted at the Force Headquarters and across the six geo-political zones of the country in six selected states with one state purposively selected from each of the zones based on socio-cultural stratification and security considerations.
The research team, led by Prof Kehinde Olayode as the Principal Investigator, also included partners comprising Prof Hauwa Yusuf of Kaduna State University, Dr Lanre Ikuteyijo, Dr Taiwo Agbalajobi, and Dr Yemi Babalola who are all of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
At the Dissemination/Validation of the study’s findings on Tuesday September 24, at a workshop chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor ( Research , Innovation and Development) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-lfe, ably represented by the Executive Director of the Central Office of Research, some burning issues with regard to gender mainstreaming within the Police Force came into the front burner.
From the summary of the findings: “the 2010 NPF-Gender Policy remained predominantly unimplemented because of the failure of the NPF to give institutional and legal backing to the policy.”
The findings continued: “None of the components of the 2010 NPF-Gender Policy was regulated into any of the Force Order and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) hence, they remained ineffective. The awareness about gender was largely limited to the gender desk and has not been institutionalized at different working units within the NPF.
“In addition, the level of understanding of gender issues, especially the provisions of the police gender policy was very low among the rank and file in the police force. Only a few copies of the Police Gender Policy were disseminated and the policy is currently not providing a framework for gender mainstreaming in the police force.
“Gender was not a core policy consideration in planning, programming, personnel administration and budgeting at the NPF. In fact, almost all staff in the GBV Units across all 36 States, including FCT, had very low technical knowledge of gender mainstreaming.”
As a way out, the research made some recommendations, one of which is the need for the Police Force to undertake a comprehensive review of all laws and regulations in line with the principles of gender equality and women empowerment as stated in relevant global frameworks.
The argument is that with the 2020 Police Act, provisions such as Regulation 121 of the Police Regulations, which provides for certain general duties of women police officers are now inconsistent with the 2020 Police Act and would need to be repealed (Section 140vi).
Furthermore, there is need for an appropriate interpretation and application of the Sections 135; 140vi of the 2020 Police Act against other existing regulations and laws in the Police Force.
Stressing further, the study said the absence of appropriate interpretation and application of the 2020 Police Act has witnessed cases that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Act as apply to gender discrimination within the force, adding that key sections of the gender policy should be embedded in the First Orders and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
To the experts, there should be specialised budget line for gender mainstreaming project and the gender unit
Officers handling GBV cases should familiarize with relevant national laws and international standards relating to key issues for responding to domestic violence, particularly violence experienced by women and girls in the society.
In addition, the study recommends the expansion of the scope of operations of the current gender unit in the police force to include gender mainstreaming works beyond their current engagement with GBV.
Concluding, the study emphasises that the challenges of modern-day policing and the dynamics of social change require continual evaluation of police institutions, laws, and regulations.
To them, contemporary demands of modern policing encapsulates professionalism for protecting individuals and communities require the regular reassessment of police policies and practices. And, for the NPF to play its central role in engendering security sector reform process in Nigeria, it is important to restructure the gender machinery within the NPF so that it can function maximally to provide leadership for the system-wide gender mainstreaming required within the NPF systems and operations; and at the same time play its functional roles in relation to curbing GBV within and outside the NPF system.
