WORKSHOP ON “WOMEN’S SITUATION ROOM AND THE LOCALISATION OF 1325” HOLDING AT GRAND IBRO HOTEL ANNEX, WUSE ZONE 5, ABUJA

The workshop on Women’s Situation Room and the Localisation on 1325 held on the 22^nd April, 2017 at Grand Ibro Abuja. It had in attendance the National Coordinator, Zonal Coordinator of North West, North East and North Central, and State Coordinators from Abia, Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Osun and Rivers of Women Situation Room Nigeria and staff of WILPF Nigeria.

The objective of the meeting was:

• Knowing ourselves
• Access and evaluate the process
• Access the competency and skills the Zonal and State Coordinators brings to the table.

Discussion on WSRN Structure and State Implementation was facilitated by the Zonal coordinator of North Central stating that the WSRN is headed by the National Coordinator, cascading down to the Zonal Coordinator, State and then the Local Government Coordinator. She added that WSRN has a National Secretariat in Abuja (coordinating body) where reports and results of activities are forwarded to. She further added that WSRN started in 2015 and was operating in 10 states, but now has expanded to the 36 states with state and zonal coordinators in all the geopolitical zones. She also added that activities under the state are to be pilot by the state coordinator with supervision from the Zonal coordinator.

The National Coordinator of the WSRN made a presentation on the topic “Overview of UNSCR 1325 and its Implementation Process in Nigeria”. She started by giving the background of UNSCR 1325 stating that it was the first of 8 resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. She expatiated on Women, peace and security explaining gender, gender right and equality. She defined gender role as the assignment placed on a gender. She explained that gender equality is investigating the value placed on a role, recognising that the roles men and women play are complementary and should be valued equally and should also highlighting certain aspect of our culture. She gave some key elements that characterize the UNSCR 1325 and explained the implementation process of the National Action Plan in Nigeria.

The Zonal and State coordinators separated into three groups which were headed by the zonal coordinators present. They sat to discuss on the workplan for 2017. The zonal coordinator for North East Philomena Zamani, North East Zariyatu Abubakar and North Central Uche Magdalene headed the South West/North West, North East/South South and South East/ North Central groups respectively. At the end of the group discussion, a representative made presention for their groups.

The workshop ended with each participant giving feedbacks based on the meeting and expectation in the next meeting.