Gender plays a significant role in the management of offenders, affecting their experiences with crime and how they interact with the correctional system. Gender-based discrimination can create barriers to effective custody, reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration for all offenders, but it disproportionately affects women. Therefore, it is necessary for every organisation including the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to give gender issues the priority it deserves. Hence, the formation of the Gender Advisory unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The Gender Advisory Unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) was formally established through a memo titled: Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations in the Nigerian Correctional Service, dated May 27, 2021. Appointments to this office were made by the Controller General of Corrections (CGC) via Posting No. GEN003/S.6/VII/817, dated June 11, 2021. The unit was created in response to several international and national frameworks, including; United Nations Resolutions 1325 and 1825, National Policy on Gender, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act as referenced in Section 34 (1–6) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
The Gender Advisory Unit serves as a mechanism for addressing gender-specific concerns within the Nigerian Correctional Service. It promotes gender-sensitivity and integrates women’s perspectives into conflict resolution, sustainable peace-building, and the promotion of dignity and human rights for female inmates and all individuals in custody.
Basically, the Gender Advisory Unit serves as an advisory body to the Controller-General of Corrections, as well as to other gender-focused units within the Service. Specifically, its key responsibilities include; to ensure gender-responsive management and overseeing the treatment of female inmates as outlined in Section 34 (1–6) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019. The unit also addresses gender-related matters by handling issues concerning gender equity and fairness within the correctional service.
Also, the unit collaborates with stakeholders through partnership with relevant departments/stakeholder, the Ministry responsible for Women Affairs, as well as NGOs to address gender-specific challenges. In addition, it engages in planning, implementation, and monitoring of gender-related policies through designing, executing, and evaluating gender-related programmes and activities. It goes further in offering training to staff on gender-sensitive practices, while integrating gender considerations by incorporating gender perspectives into the daily operations of the correctional service.
The Gender Advisory unit is dedicated to addressing systemic inequalities, ensuring equitable treatment, and fostering gender-sensitive practices. The unit engages in gender sensitization and training through conducting workshops for correctional officers to promote gender sensitivity and awareness of equal treatment principles. The unit also addresses workplace issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
The unit also ensures the provision of gender-specific needs, including access to healthcare, hygiene products, and childcare facilities. It also advocates for the rights of pregnant and nursing mothers in custody, and develops programmes tailored to support women and marginalized groups, including vocational training and psychological counseling. In furtherance, the unit formulates policies that align with Nigeria’s human rights commitments and international best practices, and also investigates cases of abuse or exploitation within correctional facilities and ensures accountability.
In conclusion, the establishment of the Gender Advisory Unit highlights the Nigerian Correctional Service’s commitment to promoting gender equity and human rights. By addressing gender-specific challenges and fostering an inclusive environment, the unit plays a critical role in advancing justice and dignity within the correctional system.