The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Nigeria, in partnership with the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), has called for increased involvement of women in conflict resolution efforts in Plateau State and beyond.
The organizations emphasized the crucial role that women play, as they are often the ones who suffer the most during conflicts in their communities. This appeal was made during a one-day strategic engagement on Conflict Mitigation and Peace Dialogue with key stakeholders from Wase, Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi LGAs of the state. These areas have recently experienced conflicts resulting in loss of lives, displacement of thousands, and destruction of livelihoods.
In her opening remarks, National Coordinator of WANEP-Nigeria, Bridget Osakwe, represented by the Program Manager of the organization, Kevin Abonyi, stressed the importance of collaborative peacebuilding efforts and the inclusion of women’s voices in the process.
She stated, “One of the objectives of this meeting is to foster collaboration among key stakeholders from Bokkos, Mangu, Wase, and Barkin Ladi LGAs in Plateau State. To provide a platform for open dialogue to identify the root causes of violence, share personal experiences, and develop practical strategies for peaceful coexistence within communities. To amplify the role of women in the peacebuilding process, towards contributing to sustainable peace and stability in the affected communities.”
The Director of Programmes at PPBA, Nantip Joseph, highlighted the importance of such initiatives, saying, “Whatever partners are doing in complementing the efforts of the government in the provision of security is a welcome development, particularly if it fits within the areas of peacebuilding and conflict prevention under our mandate. That is why you can see that this programme is organized in partnership with PPBA.”
Also, the Head of Programmes at WANEP-Nigeria, Patience Obualo, underscored the often overlooked role of women in conflict resolution.
“Most times, conflict resolution lies in the hands of the men; they are the ones that sit at the table and make decisions on behalf of the community. But we want to begin to hear what the concerns and needs of women are when it comes to issues of peace and security.”
Saf Dauda Bitrus Maren, a traditional ruler from Bokkos LGA in Darfur district and a participant at the engagement, commended the program for fostering reconciliation and promoting unity. He said, “These programs bring people together, allowing them to air their challenges, which helps the government take steps towards maintaining peace. It teaches forgiveness and unity.”
