Amotekun female officers trained on gender, human rights
ABUJA – The Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE), a Nigerian NGO focusing on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, has conducted a pivotal training programme for female officers of the Southwest Regional Security Network, known as Amotekun.
Supported by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) and the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), the training aims to integrate gender and human rights into community policing.
The training included participants from Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo States, as well as representatives from the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
The cross-state representation enabled a broad impact, encouraging collaboration and experience-sharing among female officers throughout the Southwest region.
The Executive Director of BBFORPEACE, Mr Rafiu-Adeniran Lawal who was represented by the foundation’s Director of Programs, Ms. Stephanie Effevottu, noted the critical importance of this training, which builds on the foundation laid during a similar programme in 2023.
He explained, “This training on mainstreaming gender and human rights in community policing is important and critical. It builds on the foundation laid during a similar training for the corps in 2023 on Ethics and Human Right Frameworks in Community Policing.”
Barrister Titilayo Asabia from the DAWN Commission emphasized the need for security measures that reflect the diverse experiences of different demographic groups.
“Amotekun was created by the governors of the six Southwest States to safeguard lives and property, with a focus on partnerships between security agencies and the communities they serve. The experiences of women, men, marginalised groups, and young people differ, and security measures must reflect these differences,” she stated.
Mr. Testimony Omole of the AGFCS highlighted the contribution of their Security Playbook research to the training.
He encouraged participants to enhance their capacities and share their learning with others.
“The Security Playbook research conducted by the AGFCS informed the current training. Seize the opportunity to enhance their capacities and step down their learning to others who were unable to attend,” Omole urged.
The programme featured sessions on the role of women in conflict resolution, mainstreaming gender in community policing, and legal frameworks for human rights protection.
Participants reported that the training significantly enhanced their understanding of gender mainstreaming and the application of human rights principles in their work, marking aY significant step towards improved peace and security in Nigeria’s Southwest region.
(Vanguard)
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