The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding Nigeria (WANEP) has reiterated the call for an inclusive approach to peacebuilding, saying this will prevent violence, promote peaceful co-existence, and ensure more equitable and prosperous society.
A statement signed Thursday in Abuja by its national network coordinator, Bridget Osakwe, expressed concern that women who are key stakeholders in conflict prevention and peacebuilding are underutilised and undermined in the peace processes.
“This situation has created a hierarchy where men are relied upon to develop frameworks and strategies for preventing conflict and violence torn societies at the exclusion of women as their voices remain suppressed on key issues that affect their wellbeing,” the statement said.
The statement noted with dismay, the escalation of violent conflicts across Nigeria, adding that there are currently about 1.9 million internally displaced people and over 50,000 people dead with numerous properties and farmlands destroyed.
“The increasing prevalence of the Boko Haram insurgency, farmers-herders clashes, militancy, secessionist movements, land disputes, power tussle, banditry and kidnappings have resulted in wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“The Round 26 Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) assessment by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that between 20 October 2018 to 20 January, 2019 the trends from six states most affected by displacement: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe showed about 1.9 million people internally displaced and over 50,000 people dead with numerous properties and farmlands destroyed,” it said.
The coordinator, therefore, urged government to ensure that women’s contributions and concerns are duly harnessed.
She stressed further the need to mainstream gender capacities and promote women’s rights to participate in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and decision-making, particularly in Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Edo, Gombe and Rivers states where WANEP with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is implementing the project; Enhancing Participation of Women in Peace and Human Security in Nigeria.
