Stakeholders in Nigeria’s peace and governance sector have reiterated the need for the full inclusion of women in political and peacebuilding processes, describing it as essential to achieving sustainable peace and national stability.
The call was made by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) during a two-day town hall meeting held in Abuja under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) frameworks.
The meeting, themed “Strengthening Local Leadership in WPS and YPS in Nigeria,” was organised by WANEP Nigeria with support from Global Affairs Canada.
Chairman of WANEP Nigeria Board, Kolawole Olatosimi, said the initiative was designed to generate practical, community-driven solutions to enhance women’s leadership in governance and peacebuilding. He stressed that at a time when many communities face persistent insecurity, there is a need for collective reflection and solidarity, while also extending condolences to victims of recent attacks.
Olatosimi noted that global evidence from peacebuilding efforts indicates that sustainable peace is more attainable when women are actively involved in decision-making and conflict resolution processes.
Also speaking, National Network Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria, Bridget Osakwe, said the organisation continues to implement programmes across West Africa aimed at promoting nonviolence, democratic governance, and inclusive participation.
She explained that the WPS agenda extends beyond conflict zones, addressing structural inequalities embedded in governance systems, which often become more pronounced during crises. Osakwe emphasised that increasing women’s political representation is critical to tackling election-related violence and longstanding barriers to participation.
She further identified mentorship, dialogue, and peer learning among women leaders as key strategies for navigating political systems and strengthening collective influence. She also challenged stereotypes suggesting women lack support systems, noting that political competition is not gender-specific.
Representing GNWP, Ruth Abunaw Bison, highlighted the challenges faced by women leaders, particularly in conflict-affected communities, where insecurity, harassment, and institutional constraints continue to limit their contributions.
Bison stressed that investment in women’s political leadership should be viewed as a strategic pathway to peace and development rather than merely a gender concern. She added that the forum aims to amplify women’s voices, strengthen advocacy, and produce actionable recommendations to advance both WPS and YPS agendas in Nigeria.
Participants at the meeting expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners would help dismantle systemic barriers and foster a more inclusive governance framework.
They agreed that empowering women at the grassroots level and integrating their perspectives into policy and decision-making processes would not only reduce conflict but also strengthen democratic institutions and promote long-term national cohesion.
