Security related jobs are often regarded as a man’s job; breaking this stereo-type, Women Peace and Security Network- Africa (WIPSEN-A), together with its counterparts in the security sector have broken the ice with a float parade to the National Stadium.
WIPSEN-A representative, Ecoma Alaga explained that the float parade was to break the stereo-type that security is a man’s job and encouraged more women to engage in the security sector, as they are grossly underrepresented.
She said there is need to educate women on the role they have to play in the security sector, adding that they intend doing “a publication for women in the security sector under the frame work of the gender security sector reform process…”
She disclosed that the focus of WIPSEN-A, is to promote women leadership and strategic participation in peace and security process, not only at the community level but also at the policy level.
She pointed out that WIPSEN-A project in Sierra Leone started in May this year with series of activities, and these include a needs assessment, consultative meetings, and training for different stakeholders in the security sector reform process in Sierra Leone.
She said that they are not working alone, as one of their partners is the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
Immigration Department Representative, Rachel Bangura stressed the gender imbalance in her department, and encouraged qualified women to join the immigration.
Office of National Security staff member, Francess Bangura disclosed that the national policy which covers every woman in all the security institution is presently in draft form
She explained that for the private security company there is a standard operating principle.
In April 2008, DCAF and WIPSEN-A entered into partnership to implement a project entitled: ‘Security Sector Reform in West Africa: Strengthening the integration of Gender and Enhancing the Capacity of Female Security Sector Personnel’
The project is both derived from and intended to respond to an identified fundamental gap in the discourse and practice of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the sub-region. In West Africa, a number of countries have either implemented some elements of SSR e.g Ghana, Nigeria; or have a comprehensive SSR process ongoing e.g. Sierra Leone, Liberia.
The two-pronged goal of the DCAF-WIPSEN-A partnership is to strengthen the integration of gender and women’s issue in the SSR processes; and to enhance the capacities of female security sector personnel to act as drivers of the desired change from within.
ADVERTISEMENT