Border security in West Africa is undergoing a quiet revolution—one that connects customs enforcement with gender equality and diversity initiatives. The West Africa Security Project (WASP), a collaborative effort between the World Customs Organization (WCO) and German Federal Customs Administration, demonstrates how inclusive policies can strengthen regional stability.
Beyond Traditional Security Measures
Unlike conventional border security programs focused solely on intercepting contraband, WASP incorporates gender equality and diversity (GED) principles as operational pillars. The initiative currently supports reforms in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, with plans to expand to Benin, Gambia, and Nigeria in 2024.
Key components include:
- Capacity building for customs personnel
- Enhanced detection of small arms trafficking
- Advanced cargo inspection techniques
- Implementation of gender-sensitive policies
The GED Advantage
WCO research indicates that gender-balanced customs teams demonstrate measurable improvements in three critical areas:
Operational Efficiency: Female officers establish better rapport with women travelers and merchants, often identifying concealed items male counterparts might overlook. Diverse teams generate more comprehensive risk assessments through varied perspectives.
Workforce Retention: Inclusive environments reduce turnover by 18-22% according to preliminary data from participating countries.
Community Trust: Border communities show 37% higher compliance rates when interacting with representative customs teams.
Implementation Tools
WASP deploys specialized instruments to operationalize its vision:
Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT)
This diagnostic framework helps customs administrations evaluate GED implementation across human resources, border operations, and stakeholder engagement. The 2023 update introduced security-specific metrics now adopted by all partner nations.
Hybrid Training Packages
Customs personnel receive instruction on unconscious bias mitigation, cross-cultural communication, and gender-sensitive interrogation techniques through blended learning modules.
Measurable Progress
Since incorporating GED components in October 2022, WASP has achieved:
- Completed organizational assessments in three countries
- Trained 214 customs officials through subregional workshops
- Developed tailored GED action plans for each partner administration
- Established interministerial coordination mechanisms
The Road Ahead
2024 priorities include expanding GEOAT assessments to new partner countries and conducting additional training sessions in both English and French. The project will also facilitate stakeholder roundtables to align border security practices with national gender policies.
This innovative approach demonstrates how security sector reform can simultaneously address operational challenges and social inequities—a model with potential applications beyond West Africa's borders.