In a compelling address at the 4th Annual Forum of Women, Peace, and Security Sector Reference Group in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, passionately advocated for the active involvement of women in the nation's peace-building endeavors. Emphasizing the crucial role women play in fostering a sense of belonging and social cohesion, she asserted that their innate resilience positions them as key contributors to creating a safe and united society.

The forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, UN Women, and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), aimed to address the multifaceted challenges hindering women's full participation in the security sector. Kennedy-Ohanenye underscored the indispensable nature of women's involvement in peace talks, highlighting their roles as mothers, daughters, and sisters on a global scale.

Speaking on the alignment of these efforts with the government's policy thrust, she pointed out that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration prioritizes tackling insecurity, poverty alleviation, and ensuring the social inclusion of all Nigerians, with a particular focus on empowering women.

Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed, "Nigerian women are very important, and fortunately for us, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is all about women because he knows that when one woman is empowered, about 20 people are automatically empowered."

Calling upon Nigerian women, especially those in uniform, she urged them to strive for excellence in their respective careers, emphasizing the meaningful contributions they can make to the nation's growth and development.

The keynote speaker, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd), stressed the need for inclusivity in the security sector, recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of women in the country. While acknowledging progress, he highlighted that the desired threshold in women's inclusion is yet to be achieved.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, described the forum as a vital platform for advocacy and gender-responsive security sector discussions. The conference, themed "Operationalization of gender and security policies: roles of security agencies in addressing emerging peace and security challenges in Nigeria," was noted to have the potential to harness the strategic roles and responsibilities of women in shaping peace and security strategies for the country.