By Our Correspondent
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Rep. Makki Abubakar Yalleman, has said that women play crucial role in the effectiveness of policing and must no longer be sidelined within the Nigeria Police Force.
In an address at a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act, aimed at mandating at least 15 percent female representation in police recruitment and reforming gender-related policies across the Force, the chairman said this would strengthen policing outcomes in general terms.
The Bill seeks to compel the Police to adopt a gender-responsive compliance programme covering recruitment, training, posting, discipline, and marital considerations, while also establishing a dedicated unit to monitor compliance.
“This is more so in handling cases such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes where women and children are disproportionately affected” he said.
At the hearing, the Ministry of Police Affairs expressed full support for the amendments, represented by Okorie Kalu from its Legal Unit, the Ministry described the initiative as “commendable and overdue,” adding that it has already begun drafting regulations to eliminate discriminatory enlistment criteria, including restrictions linked to pregnancy and marital status.
Kalu said the Ministry is working on policies to ensure equitable training, duty assignment, dressing guidelines, maternity leave, fair postings, and the establishment of a Women and Children Protection Centre under the Inspector General of Police.
The public hearing drew participation from women’s rights advocates, security experts, civil society groups, and senior police officers, many of whom described the Bill as a necessary step to modernize the country’s policing system.
The Committee is expected to consider stakeholder submissions before presenting its final recommendations to the House.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said that raising the number of women in the Nigeria Police Force is not just a gender issue but a matter of justice, fairness, and improved policing outcomes.
Represented by Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi, the Speaker said the Police Force has operated for too long with a disproportionately low number of women, especially in leadership positions, a situation that has limited opportunities for qualified women and weakened the institution and now is the time to correct the situation.
The Speaker noted that global research shows police institutions with stronger female representation record fewer incidents of excessive force, handle gender-based violence cases more effectively, and earn higher levels of public trust.
