Women’s Leadership Key To Sustainable Peace In Nigeria

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria under its Women in Peacebuilding Programme in Abuja has called for stronger participation of women in governance and peacebuilding, stressing that their involvement is critical to achieving sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.

National Network Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria, Bridget Osakwe, made the call during a two -day town hall meeting with women political and civil society leaders on implementing the women in peace and security (WPS) and youth, peace and security (YPS) agendas in Nigeria, supported by the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (NGWP) and Global Affairs Canada.

She said the programme focuses on advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda by strengthening women’s participation and representation in political and public decision-making spaces.

Osakwe noted that women often face violence and structural barriers in politics and public life, explaining that the meeting was designed to bring together women politicians, aspirants and peacebuilders to share experiences and strategies for navigating the political system.

Also speaking, the WANEP Nigeria Board chair, Kolawole Olatosimi, said the involvement of women is essential for lasting peace, noting that women play critical roles in families, communities and institutions.