In the bid to deepen gender integration efforts and strengthen international cooperation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) nominated one of its female officers to participate in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Gender Integration Workshop hosted by the California National Guard recently in Rancho Cordova, California.
The workshop, which built on previous engagements between the NAF and California National Guard, provided a robust platform for military leaders, subject matter experts, and professionals from both countries to exchange insights on gender mainstreaming, conflict prevention, behavioural health, and force readiness.
During the engagement, the NAF representative shared ongoing efforts within the Service to advance the WPS agenda and promote gender inclusion.
This aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar’s, commitment to deliberate training, mission-oriented force development, and strategic partnerships, as emphasised in his Command Philosophy.
The workshop featured discussions on policy development, leadership, sexual harassment prevention, and operational planning. A special awareness walk focused on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) was also held.
The NAF representative returned to Nigeria with valuable insights and actionable recommendations,with positive impacts on NAF's ongoing efforts and commitment towards zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as intensifying training on gender-sensitive operations.
