In commemoration of International Women’s Day, ICMPD hosted a webinar titled Women on the Move: Advancing Gender Mainstreaming in Immigration Services Across West Africa. The session focused on the importance of gender equity in immigration services, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, and brought together key stakeholders to share insights, challenges, and best practices in fostering a more gender-balanced workforce.
Moderated by Amala Obiokoye-Nwalor, Head of Office, ICMPD Ghana, the webinar featured engaging discussions with senior immigration officers from Ghana and Nigeria. Superintendent Juliet Chinelo Ugochukwu of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Chief Superintendent Evelyn Danquah of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) shared valuable perspectives on the progress, challenges, and opportunities for women in immigration services.
The webinar discussion provided key insights into five main areas for accelerating gender equity in immigration services.
Firstly, it was highlighted the increasing Female Representation in Immigration Services. The proportion of female officers in immigration services in Ghana and Nigeria has increased over time, reflecting a deliberate commitment to gender balance. Initiatives such as an all-Female Squad in Nigeria help to foster a supportive community for female officers working in a male dominated sector. While progress has been made in increasing the ratio of female officers in general, there is still a need to increase female representation at leadership levels.
Secondly, the need to expand leadership opportunities for women was pointed out. To promote gender-inclusive leadership, immigration services need to implement capacity-building initiatives specially aimed at building the confidence of women to aim for leadership roles and positions. Partnerships with specialised training institutions like the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) can support leadership and management development workshops. Additionally, periodic training programs ensure that women and men alike have equal access to professional growth opportunities.
Women in leadership roles within immigration services have already demonstrated remarkable contributions in financial management, media oversight, and mentorship initiatives. A notable achievement was the successful organization of a groundbreaking mentorship symposium for security agencies, reinforcing the importance of mentorship and role models in empowering future female leaders.
Thirdly, it was underscored the necessity to strengthening institutional support for the Gender Mainstreaming. For this, the oversight Ministries such as Ministries of Gender and Interior play a crucial role in advancing gender mainstreaming efforts. They can support implementation of dedicated initiatives such as the establishment of gender desks within security agencies, fostering an inter-agency network dedicated to gender-sensitive migration governance. Promoting gender sensitivity and equity does not only improve the working environment for officers in immigration services but also translate to better service delivery to travellers and citizens.
Fourthly, there was a call for engaging male champions in Gender Advocacy and the role of men in advancing gender equity. The panel emphasized that men can be effective allies when they actively support gender-inclusive policies. The example of a male Comptroller General of Immigration being recognized as a HeForShe champion for West Africa highlighted how male leaders can play a vital role in advocating for gender-balanced policies and practices.
Fifthly, while pushing for greater gender equity, panelists highlighted the importance of avoiding the creation of imbalances that could make male counterparts feel marginalized. Gender should not be automatically translated to mean “Women”. Initiatives such as paternity leave for men and are important for addressing the needs of both genders. Achieving true equity requires continuous organisational self-assessment and recalibration of gender dynamics within immigration services, ensuring an inclusive environment for all officers.
Looking Ahead: Advancing Gender-Sensitive Migration Governance
The webinar reaffirmed that while progress has been made, the journey towards gender equity in immigration services is ongoing. Institutional commitment, capacity-building, and strong male allyship remain critical drivers of sustainable change.