ABUJA, Nigeria – A groundbreaking five-day workshop on Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) has concluded in Nigeria's capital, marking a significant step toward modernizing customs operations across West Africa.
Regional Customs Officials Equip Themselves for Inclusive Trade
From April 22-26, 2024, senior customs officials from The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria participated in intensive training sessions organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The workshop focused on integrating gender-responsive approaches into customs administration – a first for the region.
Participants examined critical issues including:
- Breaking gender stereotypes in border security operations
- Developing inclusive policies for women cross-border traders
- Implementing the WCO's Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT)
- Addressing human rights concerns at border crossings
Security Through a Gender Lens
The workshop highlighted the often-overlooked connection between gender perspectives and border security effectiveness. Officials analyzed how traditional security approaches might inadvertently disadvantage women travelers and traders.
"When we examine checkpoint procedures through a gender lens, we often find opportunities to improve efficiency while better protecting vulnerable groups," explained one facilitator during the closed-door sessions.
Practical Tools for Sustainable Change
A centerpiece of the training was the GEOAT system, which enables customs administrations to:
- Conduct organizational self-assessments
- Identify strengths and gaps in gender equality practices
- Develop targeted action plans
By the workshop's conclusion, all four national delegations had drafted updated GED implementation strategies for review by their respective administrations.
Regional Cooperation Strengthened
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) participated in the discussions, sharing insights about challenges faced by women engaged in cross-border commerce. This regional perspective helped contextualize national action plans within broader trade facilitation efforts.
The workshop forms part of the WCO's West Africa Security Project (WASP), supported through partnerships with German Customs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The Road Ahead
Participating nations committed to implementing concrete measures across several key areas:
- Policy Reform: Mainstreaming gender considerations into customs regulations
- Workforce Development: Increasing female representation in leadership roles
- Operational Improvements: Adapting border procedures to better serve diverse populations
- Data Collection: Implementing gender-disaggregated reporting systems
Industry analysts suggest these reforms could significantly boost regional trade volumes while improving compliance rates. The WCO has pledged ongoing technical support as member administrations work to implement their GED action plans throughout 2024 and beyond.