By: Zulaihat Ahmad Uba
The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Aisha Bura, unveiled the maiden Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC), declaring that sustainable peace and national security can only be achieved when women are actively involved in decision-making.
Speaking at the inauguration of the initiative at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Comrade Aisha Bura described WINSEC as a national platform established to celebrate excellence, strengthen partnerships, promote dialogue and advance the role of women in peace, security and national development.
The NAWOJ National Chairperson stressed that women must be recognised, empowered and given seats at decision-making tables if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable peace and security.
Reflecting on NAWOJ’s nearly four decades of existence, she said the association has consistently championed professionalism, defended democracy, amplified the voices of women and vulnerable groups, and deployed journalism as a tool for national development.
Speaking on the rationale behind WINSEC, Aisha Bura said the initiative was conceived to recognise the invaluable but often overlooked contributions of women serving in the military, police, intelligence agencies, correctional services, journalism, humanitarian organisations, community leadership and peacebuilding.
According to her, WINSEC aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on gender equality, peace, justice, strong institutions and partnerships, as well as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, declared that national security is strengthened when women are empowered to lead, participate in decision-making and shape public discourse, as she called for greater inclusion of women in peacebuilding and governance.
Addressing participants, Sulaiman-Ibrahim described WINSEC as one of Nigeria’s foremost platforms for women and said it rightly affirms the central role of women in national security and development.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the Federal Government, through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is implementing transformative policies aimed at strengthening women’s leadership, expanding protection systems for survivors of gender-based violence and promoting women’s participation in governance, peace and security.
She expressed profound appreciation to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for its unwavering support, as well as partners, sponsors, and volunteers who made the historic event possible.
In her remark, National Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Wasila Ibrahim Ladan, commended the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for his unwavering support for the association.
She also expressed appreciation to members of the NUJ leadership and all NAWOJ members for their commitment and cooperation, which contributed to the successful hosting of the summit.
