Insecurity: New gender report highlights women’s role in peace-building

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme, a UK-backed initiative dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the North-West and North-Central regions through inclusive governance and gender-responsive strategies, has launched the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) report. The report highlights key barriers to participation and offers actionable solutions for a more equitable […]

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme, a UK-backed initiative dedicated to promoting peace and stability in the North-West and North-Central regions through inclusive governance and gender-responsive strategies, has launched the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) report.

The report highlights key barriers to participation and offers actionable solutions for a more equitable peace process in the regions.

The report was unveiled in Abuja at an event attended by women’s groups, civil society leaders, policymakers, and international development partners committed to advancing gender-responsive peace efforts in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony Dr. Dayo Kusa, a gender and peacebuilding expert, emphasised the importance of considering the diverse experiences of women when addressing conflict impacts, saying “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.”

On shifting harmful gender norms, she added: “We need more positive masculinity in the area of conflict prevention, management, and resolution because it ensures that all men are for progress.”

Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Leader of the SPRiNG Programme, reinforced the programme’s commitment to inclusive peacebuilding, saying that “the findings of this report reinforce the need to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into all peacebuilding efforts.

The SPRiNG programme is working to ensure that women, youth, and marginalised communities are not just participants but leaders in conflict resolution, reinforcing its commitment to gender inclusion in peacebuilding.

The Team leader said they remain 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.”

SPRiNG is a four-year initiative (2024-2028) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aimed at enhancing institutional capacity for conflict management and response, boost public confidence in key institutions, and create greater incentives for peace.