In an effort to propel women into leadership roles within West and Central Africa's maritime security sector, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in partnership with the Ministry of Transport of Cameroon has launched a Code of Practice aimed to address the gender gaps in the sector.

The ‘Code of Practice for Women, Peace, and Security Practitioners’, represents a significant leap towards gender parity in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Developed by the KAIPTC with funding from Denmark, the Code addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in maritime security positions.

This launch in Cameroon marks the first of seven planned ceremonies across the two regions.

The Code emphasises four key areas: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery. Aligned with UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, providing a roadmap for achieving gender equality within maritime security.

The Minister of Transport of Cameroon, Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibéhè in a speech read on his behalf by the deputy director in Charge of Navigation, Security and Protection of the Maritime Environment and Inland Waterways at the Ministry, Elvis Hene Ngwane emphasised the Code's potential to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to become maritime security decision-makers.

He stressed that equal opportunities for training and advancement are crucial for achieving gender-based development within the sector.

The Minister applauded KAIPTC's initiative, highlighting its potential to bring about tangible improvements through a more balanced and representative maritime security force.

He urged stakeholders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to adopt and utilise the Code, emphasising its role in fostering regional security, peace, and development.

Maritime Security Protocols

Addressing calls for revisions to the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a decade-old maritime security protocol, Col. Bell Bell Emmanuel, Head of Information Management at the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) for the Gulf of Guinea, expressed the ICC's intention to use KAIPTC's Code as a reference point for integrating gender considerations into the revised Yaoundé Code.

KAIPTC

The Deputy Commandant Air Commodore David Akrong for his part said that the initiative's strategic focus on the Gulf of Guinea, a region grappling with complex challenges like piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation.

He highlighted that while these issues disproportionately impact coastal communities and maritime professionals, including women, current policies often overlook the potential contributions of women in finding solutions.

With the support of the Cameroonian and Danish governments, KAIPTC is confident that widespread adoption of the Code across West and Central Africa will empower women to play a more significant role in all aspects of maritime security.

This version focuses more on the impact and goals of the initiative, along with the strategic reasons behind its development. It also shortens some sections and rephrases sentences for a more concise read.