In Abuja, a 3-day “Women’s Peace Forum” has begun to explore how to “strengthen women’s strategic engagement in climate-focused peace-making in Nigeria.”
At the opening of the forum, convened by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue HD, the Country Manager of the HD Chris Agoha said the forum “seeks to share diverse experiences, knowledge, and collaborative actions that will strengthen women’s network and enhance their role in climate-focused peacemaking.
“This project is part of HD’s pivotal work in making women agents of change in peacemaking and conflict resolution in Nigeria. We strongly believe that women’s voices should not only be heard in peacemaking, but their strategic engagements should envision taking part in making decisions that would respond to the various needs of their beleaguered communities,” he said.
Also setting the pace for the conversation, Gill Atkinson, the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria said Nigerians especially women must be at the fore of promoting peace and stability because “government alone cannot guarantee peace and stability …it will take the active participation and resolve of everyone in the community to promote peace and stability.”
The UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS Ms. Beatrice Eyong referencing the UNSC resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, said that the resolution has contributed significantly to global, regional, and national peace initiatives.
Her message delivered by Peter Mancha said after Nigeria’s 2nd generation National Action Plan (NAP) 2017-2020 elapsed in 2020, “Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, is in the process of developing the 3rd NAP through a multi-sectoral approach.
“The current peace and security challenges in Nigeria, including climate change vis-a-vis the farmer-herder crisis, cybercrime, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and incessant attacks by the insurgents, among others have devastating effects, particularly on women and girls and other vulnerable groups,’ she said, calling for more action by the communities to stop insecurity.
Breakouts
Leveraging international, national and state instruments for more inclusive policymaking
Drawn from the academia, civil society groups and government agencies, the panellist discussed Nigeria’s progress in strengthening women’s political participation, “including through the adoption and domestication of international instruments – for example of UN conventions and protocols – as well as through the development of related national and state action plans.”
The panel also discussed how the Nigerian government has translated international initiatives into national legislative changes, and how these have helped establish institutional structures aimed at fostering inclusive dialogue, particularly in terms of women’s participation and now in light of a growing need for climate governance.
Addressing structural barriers to women’s political participation
Yet another panel discussed the impacts of conflicts and climate crises that continue to affect women disproportionately. It said, “Women continue to face significant barriers to their meaningful participation in key decision-making processes and political dialogue initiatives” while “exploring strategies to address these barriers, amplify women’s voices, and better understand their specific needs and priorities in a rapidly evolving conflict context.”
It also discusses the potential contributions of women to climate-related and other peacemaking initiatives.
