The CLEEN Foundation, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, has identified that to improve citizens’ confidence in policing and the entire policing infrastructure, political will, gender-responsive planning, and some level of parity are necessary to achieve Nigeria’s policing reform.
This was part of the presentation of the findings of its research on citizen engagement on policing reform and the accountability of justice sector actors.
Laws are still gender-blind -CLEEN
Salaudeen Hashim, Program Director, highlighted these points at a one-day workshop held at the CLEEN Foundation Hall, Innocent Chukwuma House, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday.
According to Salaudeen, “Despite attempts from different quarters to improve citizens’ confidence in policing and the entire policing infrastructure, there are tactical level challenges that are setbacks.”
He pointed out that these tactical level challenges involve everyday people and police officers who interact with the public and don’t share the same vision as strategic level officers.
“There is a concern that access to justice or security is not informed by human security needs but by regional security.”
“Findings suggest that the laws are still gender-blind. There are provisions within the system that do not support gender-responsive planning, particularly concerning contemporary needs. Modern policing requires some level of parity and balance.”
“The policing infrastructure has what they call the gender desk. But again, the laws do not reflect the same thing. So there are provisions, for instance, that contain discriminatory aspects. These discriminatory provisions are areas of concern for citizens, and marginal reviews should be conducted around them.”
“For any reform to achieve the desired results and objectives, there must be some political will. But when political interference does not support the reform to achieve its goals, it poses challenges and setbacks.”
“We hope that sub-national level governments will also align their vision with the national level to ensure consistency in the collective efforts we are putting together.”
“A modern police force respects people’s rights, safeguards and protects, and provides proactive protection. It should not engage in misconduct or have a biased agenda. People should have confidence and trust in the police and see them as partners in progress.”
“You cannot achieve adequate and sustainable human security without addressing economic security. As long as people feel disenfranchised and livelihood is challenged, criminality will continue to rise.”
Referring to the current reality, “If you check the National Bureau of Statistics data, the inflation rate has risen to about 33 percent, and per capita income in the country is also being challenged.
“The human development index in this country is undermined. If you consider all of these indicators together, it is clear that the President needs to do things differently to deal with the economy. Managing the economy in a way that provides safeguards for people will address 50 percent of the security issues.”
“Insecurity in this country is about competition for resources. If we can manage resources to ensure even distribution and citizen participation in the process, we can reduce the current level of threats. But at the moment, people will continue to be recruited until something different is done to empower them,” Salaudeen said.
https://cleen.org/2024/10/10/cleen-foundation-appoints-acting-executive-director/
