TheCable

Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, says the Nigerian armed forces has psychologically oppressed military women by limiting their participation in the fight against insecurity.

She said this during the opening ceremony of the defence headquarters maiden annual conference on women peace and security at the National Defence College, Abuja, on Thursday.

She said some of the challenges being faced by the armed forces can be solved through the exploration of women’s potential.

Aisha said the limitation to their capability should be stopped, and called for increased deployment of military women in the fight against insecurity.

“The security issues bedeviling our country still abound probably because we are yet to redefine the Armed Forces of Nigeria to explore the potential of women for operational effectiveness. Women possess the traits of patience, perseverance, and passion,” she said.

“There is a need for the reformulation of laws and policies that border on the inclusion of women in the strategic reformation of effective operational deployment. The wide margin and lack of flexibility in structures based on gender should be abridged.

“Women are restricted to careers within supportive mustering of military community such as finance, human resources, personnel, logistics, medical services and welfare. I join the military women to take exception to such psychological oppression.”

In his remarks, Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of the defence staff, said the current participation of military women in peacekeeping operations is at 27.7 percent.

He said the Nigerian Navy has also deployed women as sailors — among other areas.

“Currently, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has attained 27.7 per cent female participation in peacekeeping operations. This is higher than the UN recommendation of 17 percent,” he said.

“These women are given equal opportunities like their male counterparts, including commanding major combat units and flying fighter jets for the air force.

“The Nigerian Navy has also deployed women as sailors and for other key aspects such as ship maintenance.”