Management Response

: Nigeria
: 2023 - 2025 , Nigeria (CO)
: Final Evaluation of the Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria (Phase II)
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Nigeria

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The management response to the final evaluation of the ‘‘Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria -Phase II (2023-2024) is based on the evaluators’ conclusions and recommendations highlighted in the evaluation report. They were validated by key stakeholders in an evaluative consultative meeting carried out at the end of the field mission and also through the review of the evaluation report. The Country Office will build on the evaluation findings and recommendations for future security-related WPS projects in Nigeria. Most recommendations have been accepted, and a related plan for their implementation is reflected in this management response.
: Approved
Recommendation: Prioritize post-conflict locations in designing future WPS interventions
Management Response: The CO partially accepts this recommendation. During the inception phase of the project, the need for the project’s intervention, strong political will and demonstrable commitment and support to the project by government and other stakeholders were among other key priority areas considered for selection of target areas. Additionally, the second phase of the project focused on consolidating the outcome of the first phase in Borno and Yobe states, as well as expanding the scope to Adamawa State – the third state most impacted by the Borko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria.
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Description: There should be proper due diligence concerning the choice of project locations especially with regard to the coverage of armed conflict and post-conflict areas in the target states. This implies some level of granularity is required in determining the comparative locational advantage of interventions beyond the regional level. This is with a view to determining the post-conflict areas suitable for the delivery of interventions in line with UNSCR 1325, 1820 and 1889 in all their ramifications. This is important in order to avoid delays associated with project inception, implementation and timely delivery of outputs. By so doing the efficiency of implementation is apt to improve and the intended outcomes within the life of the project are likely to be achieved with a higher level of satisfaction.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Following approval by Germany, UN Women will develop concept note/proposal for a third phase of the SSR project and submit to German Foreign Office. UN Women 2027/12 Completed Concept Note for the third phase of the project was developed and submitted to the German Foreign Office. In response, Germany regretted inability to support the project in 2026 due to structural reforms, including approach to fund allocation. Efforts will be made to secure funds for 2027.
Engage with Government and other key stakeholders in target states to gain political will and full support to new WPS projects. UN Women 2026/12 Completed The engagement with Government and other stakeholders within the framework of the SSR project will commence as soon as the donor (Germany) commit funding support. However, consultations with Government and other stakeholders in Benue, Taraba and Zamfara states are ongoing for a similar UN joint project (UNDP, UN Women, and IOM) to be implemented with support from PBF.
Recommendation: Ensure locational difference in setting up community-based structures like MOTs and CSPs
Management Response: The CO partially accepts the recommendation. During the inception phase of the project, target LGAs were selected by Government and other stakeholders in each state, based on set criteria, including areas in need of the intervention, security and risks level, as well as geographical spread and representation. This participatory approach enhanced local ownership. However, the conflict dynamics and volatile nature of the security challenges in the north east region of Nigeria requires periodic adjustments to programming strategies.
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Description: From the design of the project, each LGA was to have two key community-based structures – MOTs and CSPs while WLOs headquartered at the state capital are to collaborate with them. The evaluator found that these structures represent an innovative approach to achieve project objectives. In reality, however, they need not be set up together in each project location due to the following technical and operational reasons: (i) CSP members are community-based by reason of birth, occupation and residence whereas MOTs members are not necessarily in that same community by the same reasons. (ii) The MOTs include personnel of SSIs who are subject to posting to locations outside particular LGAS from time to time, (iii) Some SSIs do not have presence in many communities. (iv) Some conflict afflicted LGAs are not even amenable to or safe for the operations of MOTs. It is for these reasons that members of MOTs in two different LGAs in the target states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) ended up restricting their monthly meetings to only one LGA. The pertinent question are: Why was the structure not created in one LGA at the outset? Or why was a suitable LGA not identified as the second choice if they must be two? It is therefore recommended that in future or similar projects within the context of WPS and UNSCR 1325, appropriate due diligence must be carried out in a local government of choice as potential project location before a decision is reached as to whether CSP or MOT or both should be set up as part of the structures to achieve project objectives
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strategic engagements with stakeholders in the selection target LGAs and communities for phase III of the SSR project. UN Women 2026/12 No Longer Applicable This action is dependent on the availability of funds for a third phase of the project.
Strategic engagements with stakeholders in the selection target states, LGAs and communities for WPS projects. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Stakeholders at both national and state levels are consulted in the development of a PBF project, including selection of target areas. This includes relevant Government Ministries, Department and Agencies, CSOs, and Women-Led Organizations.
Recommendation: Change the consultation and validation approach to securing participation of the government in future design of similar project from reliance on lower level to top-level officials with policy decision-making responsibilities.
Management Response: The CO rejects this recommendation. Government officials at strategic/top and operational/middle and lower levels were consulted during the design and implementation of the project. This approach is critical for local ownership and sustainable impact. Moreover, political leaders in MDAs, including Commissioners, are decision-makers with significant level of influence on the project, hence, the need to engage them. Top level bureaucrats (Permanent Secretaries and Directors) are also primary stakeholders with significant level of influence, thus, also carried along during the design and the entire project management cycle at national level and the three target states.
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Description: Additionally, avoid entanglement with political leaders in the MDAs and place the top-level bureaucrats (Permanent Secretaries) at the centre of the consultations and negotiations. This set of officials are more guided by and more respectful of rules of engagement than the politicians whose terms are short and whose emphasis are on quick wins
Management Response Category: Rejected
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Identify and engage primary and secondary stakeholders during the design and implementation of future SSR project. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Stakeholders at national level and project target states were engaged during the development of a concept note for the third phase of the SSR project. The engagements will be continuous throughout the project life cycle, following access to funding.
Recommendation: Prioritize use of effective MOUs where strategic partners are involved in project implementation and are assigned responsibilities for the achievement of project outcomes.
Management Response: The CO partially accepts this recommendation. UN Women recognizes the importance of timely partnership agreements to support effective project implementation. Partnership processes require adherence to corporate procedures and quality standards for programme design, budgeting, risk management, and accountability. The Country Office will continue to strengthen early engagement with partners and advance implementation planning to facilitate timely finalization of partnership agreements and commencement of activities.
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Description: The weakness observed in the delivery of output by some strategic partners was not unconnected with the late signing of MOU and late commencement of project activities. For example, the MOU for the participation of the FMWA was ready in August 2023 but not signed until October that year. The UN Women can avoid this by strengthening administrative support not only at the CO but also within the system for the articulation and timely finalization of MOUs with strategic partners [see Findings 3.1a].
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Relevance
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen early engagement and implementation planning with strategic partners to facilitate timely completion of partnership agreements and effective project implementation. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated UN Women continues to engage strategic partners throughout project design and implementation to strengthen planning, readiness, and timely completion of partnership processes. Early engagement with technical and decision-making stakeholders is being strengthened to support efficient project delivery.
Recommendation: Review and upgrade the quality of the Training Manual used for capacity building relating to the gender policy reform in the security sector institutions.
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation to update the content of the Standard Training Manual security on Gender for security sector institutions. This will be done on periodic basis, ensuring the integration of emerging issues and new development within the framework of UNSCR 1325 and security sector reform in Nigeria.
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Description: This is borne out of the gaps in the standard manual developed in Phase I while being used for training in Phase II.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen collaboration between programme and finance team members in the development and implementation of project. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Concept Note for the third phase of the SSR was developed by Programmes team with inputs from Operations team members before finalization and submission.
Conduct Periodic Brown Bag Sessions between programmes and operations colleagues UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Periodic brown bag sessions between programmes and Operations team members is ongoing.
Recommendation: Review and upgrade the quality of the Training Manual used for capacity building relating to the gender policy reform in the security sector institutions.
Management Response: Standard Training Manual security on Gender for security sector institutions. This will be done on periodic basis, ensuring the integration of emerging issues and new development within the framework of UNSCR 1325 and security sector reform in Nigeria as the CO recognizes the importance of periodically updating training resources to reflect emerging priorities within the Women, Peace and Security agenda, security sector reform, and evolving national and international policy frameworks
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Description: This is borne out of the gaps in the standard manual developed in Phase I while being used for training in Phase II.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Review and update the Standard Training Manual security on Gender for security sector institutions. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated The Manual will be reviewed following approval of funding for the SSR project (Phase III). The training manual remains an important resource for supporting gender-responsive security sector reforms and the CO will continue to review opportunities to strengthen and update training content
Share the Manual with other UN agencies and development partners UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Copies of the Manual were shared with GS Foundation and UNDP, National Defence Collage, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other Members of the Women, Peace and Security Sector Reference Group in Nigeria.
Recommendation: Extend advocacy and capacity building for the operationalization of the gender policies of the security agencies to security sector formations and units outside Abuja, FCT.
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation to extend advocacy and capacity building for the operationalization of the gender policies of the security agencies to security sector formations and units at the sub-national levels (states and zonal commands).
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Description: This is important because it will promote better inclusion and better opportunities to achieve more impactful results
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Facilitate strategic advocacy, capacity building and technical support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies, for the operationalization of their gender policies at national and sub-national levels. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated UN Women supported the AFN, NPF and NSCDC to develop and adopt work plans to enhance the implementation and monitoring of their respective gender policies. This is in addition to continuous advocacy to stakeholders, capacity building trainings and technical support for enhanced gender-responsiveness in security policies and operational procedures.
Recommendation: Encourage wider stakeholder participation in operationalizing gender policy of the SSIs.
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation. Several government institutions and stakeholders participated in the development and implementation of the gender policies. The Country Office will continue to broaden engagement with relevant ministries, security institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen ownership and implementation of gender-responsive reforms.
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Description: This is borne out of the fact that the mobilization of support from the wider stakeholder was inadequate as civil society actors (NGOs) and some line ministries were not included in the relevant capacity building and advocacy activities due to time constraints.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Advocacy, Capacity development, National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Operational activities, Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Coherence, Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Expand the scope of engagements with stakeholders, including capacity building and advocacy to enhance the operationalization of gender policies adopted by security agencies in Nigeria UN Women 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is currently strengthening its engagement and partnership with Office of the National Security Advisor, Police Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, National Defence College, and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, among others, in advancing the operationalization of gender policies and broadly advancing operationalization of Nigeria’s 3rd National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 by security sector institutions.
Recommendation: Strengthen UN Women’s Project Monitoring Mechanisms
Management Response: The CO partially accepts this recommendation. A dedicated M&E Field Officer was engaged specifically for the SSR project and monitored implementation across the three target states, with support from a field-based Programme Officer and implementing partners. This was complemented by a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that guided project implementation and results tracking. The Country Office recognizes the importance of continuously strengthening project monitoring mechanisms, including oversight of both programmatic and project management processes, to enhance timely identification of implementation challenges, evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and achievement of results.
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Description: The UN Women strengthening project monitoring at the target states such that lapses could be detected before inflicting any limitation to the achievement of desired results. Additionally, monitoring should not be limited to project activities at project locations. Internal processes including activities at project management and governance levels should be monitored. In this regard, oversights at RO level should also be strengthened.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen project monitoring and results-based management practices through periodic monitoring reviews, data quality assurance, documentation of lessons learned, and enhanced oversight of both project implementation and project management processes. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated The project benefited from a dedicated M&E function and an established monitoring framework and periodic reviews. Future projects will strengthen the periodic monitoring reviews, data quality assurance, lessons learned documentation, and oversight of project implementation and management processes to enhance accountability and achievement of results.
Recommendation: Strengthen the coordination of project finance
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation. The Country Office will continue strengthening collaboration between programme and operations teams to support efficient planning, implementation, financial management, and delivery of results. Integrated planning and regular coordination mechanisms contribute to improved programme effectiveness and accountability.
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Description: This is improtant to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure early release of funds for project implementation.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen collaboration and coordination between programme and operations teams in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and financial management. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated Programme and operations teams continue to collaborate in project planning, implementation, and monitoring. Regular coordination mechanisms and knowledge-sharing sessions are being utilized to strengthen planning, budget management, and timely delivery of programme activities and results.
Recommendation: Create economic empowerment opportunities in project communities
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation. A total of seven (7) Women Empowerment and Safe Centres were established by UN Women, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States for members of the Mixed Observers Team (MOT). The Centres are equipped with desk top computers, solar panels, printers, photocopying machines, and internet connectivity, among others, to enhance confidentiality, effectiveness and efficiency in handling cases of Gender-Based Violence and other security concerns of women and girls. In addition to providing safe spaces for the provision of psychosocial, legal and mental health support, the Centres introduce economic empowerment through ICT for poor and vulnerable women and girls.
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Description: To address economic deprivation which is found to be a critical factor in the complication of cases of GBV and SEA in the project areas. The nature of the empowerment should be such that will effectively address (i) chronic poverty, (ii) youth unemployment, (iii) inadequate and unsustainable means of livelihood. It is therefore, recommended that in future project or similar ongoing projects, the target beneficiaries’ young women and youths (male and female) should incorporate meaningful skill acquisition skills involving training in vocations that will make the beneficiaries self-employed, self-reliant in terms of income generation, and capable of rising above the poverty level in their communities.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Follow-up actions with Government to support optimal operationalization of the Women Empowerment and Safe Centres in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated UN Women Representative, in partnership with the Adamawa State and Local Government Authorities officially launched the Centres in Yola North and Numan Local Government Areas of Adamawa State on 23rd and 24th February 2026, respectively. The Chairmen in both LGAs committed to secure the centres and ensure full operationalization, for the benefit of women, youths and vulnerable groups. The Centres in Borno and Yobe states will be launched within the 3rd quarter of 2026.
Recommendation: Prioritize disability inclusion
Management Response: The CO partially accept this recommendation. Interventions of the SSR project targeted women and vulnerable groups, including girls and people living with disability. To this end, PWDs were carried along by UN Women and partners as beneficiaries, hence, included as members of the Mixed Observers Teams (MOTs) and Community Safety Platforms (CSPs), addressing security concerns of women and girls in the three target states.
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Description: The small proportion of PWDs that participated in this project is a reflection of a design gap which should be bridged in future similar projects. Rather than implement a disability inclusion that makes the selection of PWDs fortuitous (simply incorporating whoever is found within a given setting), a more conscious targeting approached is recommended. For example, one way of capturing the PWDs following this approach would have been to include them at the level of key stakeholders with the same status as WLOs. In future therefore, it is recommended that a groups of organizations of people with disability (OPD) should be included as a target group.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Human Rights
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen partnership with People with Disability in phase III of the SSR project and other future Programme design. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated UN Women will increase level of engagement and strengthen partnership with disability organizations and networks in target states.
Recommendation: Provide an exit strategy in the design of similar projects in future
Management Response: The CO partially accept this recommendation. The Project adopted a participatory approach from inception to enhance local ownership and sustainability. This includes strategic engagement with key stakeholders and target beneficiaries in the design, implementation and monitoring of the project, at all levels. At national level, decision makers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) , Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) institutionalized gender-responsiveness in their policies and operational procedures by adopting and implementing gender policies and SOP on GBV; Integrated standard training manual in their training curriculum; developed an LMS system for continuous online capacity building on Gender and UNSCR 1325 for security personnel; Enhanced the capacity of gender desk units and directorate; and institutionalize mentoring programmes for female officers, among others. This is in addition to strengthening partnership between UNDP and Nigeria Police Force for continuous support for gender-responsiveness. Similarly, SPRiNG UK funded Programme and British Hich Commission were guided by UN Women to further support gender mainstreaming in NSCDC and AFN, respectively. At the sub-national level, UN Women supported the development and adoption of State Action Plans (SAPs) on women, peace and security, including establishing mechanisms to enhance implementation, monitoring and reporting on the policy document; Enhanced capacity of the law makers in the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State Houses of Assembly on their roles in supporting operationalization of the SAPs; Established seven (7) Women Empowerment and Safe Centres in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States for members of the Mixed Observers Team (MOT) and Community Safety Platforms (CSPs) to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in addressing security concerns of women and girls, including GBV cases, on a sustainable basis.
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Description: The lack of an exit strategy is apt to limit the sustainability of the positive benefits derived from this project. The articulation and implementation of an exit strategy are necessary pillars of support to reinforce the sustainability of the accrued benefits. Such a strategy should: (i) clearly identify the champions in each outcome areas – those who have ownership and leadership responsibilities (duty bearers), (ii) articulate their roles in taking necessary policy actions including implementing action plans, (iii) identify other partners and collaborators during the transition out of the project to a desired future state, and above all (iv) involve the stakeholders in actualizing the strategy and support them to solidify the pathway towards the realization of the goals of the UNSCR 1325
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Develop exit strategy for phase III of the SSR project. UN Women 2027/12 Initiated We anticipate funding for phase III of the SSR project in 2027.
Recommendation: Refrain from scheduling key project activities during the last month of the year when offices are closing down and availability of potential participants are unlikely to be guaranteed.
Management Response: The CO partially accepts this recommendation. The main project activities were implemented within the timeline. However, follow-up meetings and technical support to key partners, by UN Women, are continuous actions to consolidate impact.
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Description: It is advisable to commence planning well ahead of the end of the year period to avoid ‘end of the year stampede’ witnessed by the project in 2024. Adequate time should be given to notify concerned agencies before the actual commencement of activities to allow for fuller participation and avoid shifting dates outside the duration of the project
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Refrain from scheduling key project activities during the last month of the year UN Women 2027/12 Initiated We anticipate funding for phase III of the SSR project in 2027.
Recommendation: There should be updating of the skill of the project implementing team members from time to time.
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation, and will follow up with relevant Government MDAs.
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Description: There should be updating of the skill of the project implementing team members from time to time.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Not applicable
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Provide technical support to target security agencies for continuous updating of skills to other team members and line Ministries of their respective institutions. MDAs 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is providing technical support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in enhancing partnership with their respective line Ministries and other MDA. These include Ministry of Defence, National Defence College, Police Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, among others.
Recommendation: Accountability should be strengthened such that proper handing over and briefing should be done whenever a leader or member of a project team is not available to continue with the assigned responsibilities
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation. Institutional continuity and accountability are important for sustaining gains achieved through gender-responsive security sector reforms. UN Women will continue to advocate for institutional mechanisms that support knowledge transfer, succession planning, and continuity within partner institutions.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Not applicable
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Follow up with target security sector institutions and MDAs to adopt and implement succession plans by Gender Advisors and Gender Desk Officers MDAs 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is currently following up on this with target security sector institutions and MDAs.
Recommendation: The budget of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development across the target states should incorporate key elements of the project to enhance sustainability.
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation. The State Action Plans (SAPs) on UNSCR 1325 adopted by the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states included key elements of the SSR project to be implemented by MDAs, CSOs and other stakeholders, under the overall coordination of the State Ministries of Women Affairs.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Follow-up with relevant Government MDAs and Law Makers in the BAY State Houses of Assembly for annual budget provisions for SAP implementation, monitoring and reporting. MDAs 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is providing technical support and guidance to the State Ministries of Women Affairs in the BAY states.
Recommendation: Review of Gender Policy by Some SSIs
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation. UN Women is following up with security sectors institutions (SSIs), including NSCDC to review their Gender Policies as at when due. NSCDC commenced review of its gender policy (II) with support from UN Women as a Member of the Technical Review Committee inaugurated by the Commandant General of the Defence Corps.
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Description: Security sector institutions should keep track of the review dates of their Gender Policy and commence actions to implement as soon as it falls due. For instance, the NSCDC should ensure that the review of its Gender Policy which was adopted and launched on July 15th, 2021, does not miss the review deadline of 2025.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Follow up with management for the review of Gender Policies as at when due. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated NSCDC in the process of reviewing its Gender Policy, with technical support from UN Women. The policy is expected to be launched within the first quarter of 2026.
Recommendation: Restructure the Gender Units in SSIs
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation. UN Women will continue to advocate for necessary restructuring of SSIs for enhanced gender-responsiveness in policies and operational procedures, at all levels.
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Description: The gender units in the SSIs should be organized in accordance with the established departmental structure. For instance, in the case of the NSCDC, there should be gender desks in all the six Directorates which should be coordinated by the gender unit at the HQ. This will provide for better inclusion in gender mainstreaming.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strategic advocacies to Management of SSIs organizational restructuring to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in gender-responsiveness. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated Women is sustaining its advocacy efforts to decision-makers in SSIs for gender-responsiveness.
Recommendation: Prepare Gender Action Plans
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation and is already providing technical support to the SSIs to develop gender action plans.
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Description: The security sector institutions should prepare Gender Action Plans as offshoots of their various Gender Policy Documents. In doing this the SSIs need to ensure that the GAPs should reflect each of SSI’s peculiarities operationally and administratively.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The three target SSIs (AFN, NPF and NSCDC) developed and adopted a comprehensive work plan to enhance operationalization of their gender policies. They will be encouraged to update the actions plans and strengthen mechanisms for implementation, at all levels. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is providing technical support to the SSIs on the operationalization of the work plans.
Recommendation: Target senior officers, especially the management team of the different security agencies, to secure their support for the operationalization of gender policies.
Management Response: The CO accepts this recommendation. UN Women and partners will continue to engage with the management team of target SSIs on the operationalization of their gender policies and other related actions to enhance gender-responsiveness, on a sustainable basis.
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Description: This is very important due to the regimented nature of the security sector and strict adherence to superior commands.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Gender Advisors in target SSIs will facilitate actions to increase management commitment to the operationalization of their gender policies, with technical support from UN Women and partners. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is providing technical support on gender-responsiveness to the target SSIs.
Recommendation: Implement cadre-targeted strategic capacity building
Management Response: The Head of Gender at NSCDC Headquarters, and Gender Advisors in other SSIs will facilitate capacity building trainings in communications and leadership for strategic and decision-making officers.
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Description: Capacity building in the area of communication and leadership skills for NSCDC strategic levels of leadership – from Assistant Commandant to Deputy Commandant General. This is important because it will increase the possibility of inclusivity of women to taking high positions in the NSCDC going forward.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The Head of Gender at NSCDC Headquarters, and Gender Advisors in other SSIs will facilitate capacity building trainings in communications and leadership for strategic and decision-making officers. Security Sector Institution 2027/12 Initiated UN Women will continue to provide technical support for the conduct of the trainings.
Recommendation: Create budget lines for the Gender Units in the SSIs
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation. UN Women will continue to advocate for annual budget provisions to Gender Units of SSIs to achieve set goals and objectives.
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Description: For effective operationalization of the gender polices budget lines should be established for the gender units in all the SSIs to enable them perform their assigned functions and responsibilities especially within the context of women peace and security. It is only by doing this that the sustainability of the gains of the project can be guaranteed.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Not applicable
Organizational Priorities: Not applicable
UNEG Criteria: Not applicable
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Gender Advisors in SSIs, with support from UN Women and other partners, will continue to advocate for budget provisions for gender mainstreaming in Gender Units and other departments of their respective institutions. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is sustaining support for gender-responsiveness in SSIs.
Recommendation: Keep track of the progress of the 3 Bills at the National Assembly
Management Response: The CO accepts the recommendation to keep track of the Bills to amend laws in the three target SSIs.
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Description: The SSIs should monitor the legislative process of the proposed amendment bills to ensure the finalization at the NASS and presented to the President for assent latest before the end of the tenth Assembly.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women peace and security, humanitarian action & disaster risk reduction
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support
UNEG Criteria: Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) will work closely with the AFN, NPF, NSCDC, and UN Women in following up with Legislators in the National Assembly on the Bills to amend laws in the SSIs. Security Sector Institution (SSI) 2027/12 Initiated UN Women is following up with NILDS and sponsors of the Bills in the Senate and House of Representatives, National Assembly.