Women in Peacebuilding in Northeast Nigeria: Roles, Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

Each violent conflict possesses its distinct characteristics. The prolonged ISWAP/Boko-Haram conflict, spanning over a decade, has seen a significant number of women and children becoming victims of the ongoing insurgent assaults. The road to safety and security through building peace in Northeast Nigeria has relegated women as key actors in peacebuilding. This study examines the roles, challenges, and prospects of women in peacebuilding in northeast Nigeria. Using a desk research method, this study revealed that women in the Northeast play pivotal roles in peacebuilding during the Boko Haram insurgency such as security providers (vigilantes), mediators and negotiators both in local and grassroots organisations. This study further revealed that attacks on women by insurgents, limited access to education, political marginalisation, negative sociocultural norms and intergenerational gaps are some of the challenges that affect women in peacebuilding in Northeast Nigeria. Based on this, the study recommends education and skills training for women in Northeast Nigeria, awareness and sensitisation on negative cultural norms and stereotypes that hinder women’s participation in peacebuilding and monitoring and evaluation of the impact of peacebuilding programmes on women's involvement in peacebuilding in the Northeast.