Aleke Aleke in Abuja
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has called for gender sensitivity and balance in the management of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commission also identified equity as the bedrock of all-inclusive policing.
Speaking to a delegation of the Gender Policy team from the Nigeria Police Force in his office in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), reiterated the need for gender sensitivity and balance in the recruitment and distribution of responsibilities in the Police.
A statement by Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani said the Chairman further explained that the diversity and disparity of human nature must be recognised in every aspect of human lives to ensure a successful human endeavour.
Argungu commended the Nigeria Police Force for taking the bold step towards institutional transformation and assured the delegation of the Commission’s full support in aligning its recruitment, discipline, and promotion procedures with the principles outlined in the policy.
The Chairman also emphasised the importance of creating a police institution that reflects equity, professionalism, and respect for human rights.
The leader of the NPF Gender Policy team, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar Baju, highlighted the rationale for the revised edition of the gender policy for the NPF, noting that the new Policy will ensure that the NPF, as an institution, and Police Officers can better appreciate the heterogeneous nature, particularly the broad range of needs and interests of their target population.
“The Police Force has the mandate to protect all interests and groups, including women and other vulnerable groups, and not just those of the most visible and privileged groups in society,” she said.
Baju further stated that the overall goal of the policy is to promote and protect human rights, social justice, and equity; eliminate all forms of gender-based discriminatory laws, regulations, and practices within the NPF.
The Policy she added would ensure that the Police Force, as a major security organ of government, is able to effectively deal with gender-based violence and sexual abuse within the larger Nigerian society and also within the Force.
The AIG also stressed that child-bearing should be regarded as national service because, in the process of procreating and its concomitant struggles, women tend to be negatively impacted in their career progression.
The Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (Rtd), maintained that gender issues should be guided by the principle of natural justice and equality.
Galumje also stressed that women have a lot to do and that society should stop discriminating against them.
He said, “There are no laws in the country that discriminate against women”.
