Group unveils report, calls for women inclusion in conflict resolution
The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme has launched the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Report, a key resource aimed at addressing the exclusion of women and marginalised groups in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts.
A statement on Friday noted that the report was unveiled at a high-level stakeholder event in Abuja, which brought together policymakers, gender advocates, civil society leaders, and development partners.
According to the statement, the SPRiNG Programme is a four-year initiative funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to support conflict prevention and resolution in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.
According to the findings, systemic exclusion continues to hinder women’s participation in peace negotiations and decision-making, despite their crucial role in community resilience.
Economic dependence, limited access to education, and restrictive cultural norms further marginalise them, while internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities face even greater barriers to inclusion.
Additionally, climate change is identified as a driver of conflict, exacerbating resource scarcity and disproportionately affecting women.
“At the launch, discussions focused on the systemic exclusion of women and marginalised groups from peace negotiations, the increasing threats of gender-based violence (GBV), and the socio-economic barriers preventing their participation in decision-making.
“The report provides a roadmap for policymakers to address these challenges with evidence-based solutions. Findings indicate that despite their critical role in community resilience, women and girls continue to be shut out of leadership spaces and decision-making processes.
“Economic dependence, limited access to education, and restrictive cultural norms further hinder their participation. Additionally, the study highlights the unique struggles of IDPs, PWDs, and ethnic minorities, who face even greater obstacles to inclusion in governance and peacebuilding. Climate change also remains a major driver of conflict, exacerbating resource scarcity and disproportionately impacting women,” the statement said.
Dr. Dayo Kusa, a gender consultant and peacebuilding expert, emphasized the need to recognise the diverse experiences of women in conflict.
“Women are not a monolithic entity; there are urban, rural, and educated women, and therefore, when we study the issues of how conflict affects women, we must take that into consideration,” she said.
The report also stresses the importance of redefining masculinity to support peacebuilding efforts.
“We need more positive masculinity in the area of conflict prevention, management, and resolution because it ensures that all men are for progress,” Kusa added.
Team Leader of the SPRiNG Programme, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, highlighted the broader implications of the report’s findings.
“The findings of this report reinforce the need to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into all peacebuilding efforts. SPRiNG remains dedicated to ensuring that women, youth, and marginalised groups are central to conflict resolution strategies. It is only within this framework that sustainable peace can be attained,” he stated.
As part of its initiatives, the statement noted that SPRiNG provides technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to design and implement policies that promote productivity and sustainable peace.
