Chidinma Iroegbu
The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) have emphasised that expanding women’s participation in politics and peace processes is critical to achieving sustainable peace and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
The position was highlighted at a two-day town hall meeting on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) held on tuesday in Abuja under the project “Strengthening Local Leadership in WPS and YPS in Nigeria.”
Chairman of WANEP Nigeria Board, Kolawole Olatosimi, said the initiative aims to generate practical solutions to strengthen women’s leadership in governance and peacebuilding across communities.
Olatosimi also called for national reflection amid security concerns, stating, “We stand in support of communities passing through turbulence,” while offering condolences to victims of recent attacks.
He stressed that women’s involvement remains essential, noting, “Whenever you want to achieve sustained peace in any community, the involvement of women is very, very important.”
National Network Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria, Bridget Osakwe, said the organisation operates across West Africa with programmes focused on peacebuilding, nonviolence, and democratic governance.
Osakwe explained that the WPS agenda addresses both conflict and non-conflict environments, adding, “The challenges women face in everyday settings often become worse during conflict.”
She noted that participation and representation are key pillars of the programme, bringing together women politicians, aspirants and civil society leaders to address election-related violence and governance barriers.
On gender dynamics, Osakwe said mentorship and dialogue are central strategies, stating, “Bringing women leaders together helps them learn from one another and navigate the system.”
She also challenged prevailing stereotypes, noting, “Men do not always support men either,” while urging a shift away from narratives that undermine women’s progress in politics.
Speaking for GNWP, Ruth Abunaw Bison said women leaders in conflict-affected areas face insecurity, harassment and institutional barriers despite their contributions to governance and peacebuilding.
She added that “supporting women’s political leadership is a strategic investment in sustainable peace,” noting that the forum seeks to amplify women’s voices, strengthen advocacy and produce actionable outcomes for advancing the WPS and YPS agendas in Nigeria.