The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme has called for greater inclusion of women and young people in peacebuilding, stressing that peace is a collective responsibility and every voice must be heard.
The programme’s Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Lead, Amina Akano-Bello, made the call in a message marking the 2026 International Day of Peace.
Akano-Bello said inclusive peacebuilding was already producing positive results in communities affected by conflict.
“Through the SPRiNG Programme, we are proud to work with women, men and young people across lines of division, and we are seeing the results in communities.
“Local disputes are being resolved, cooperation across groups is growing, and communities are becoming more resilient and better able to prevent violence,” she said.
The GEDSI Lead said the programme was investing in people, institutions, and systems that support sustainable peace, including efforts to advance Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) policies and relevant legislation.
She said SPRiNG was also strengthening women mediators, Women Peace Ambassadors, women’s peace networks and youth peace structures.
According to her, women and young people facing multiple forms of vulnerability and marginalisation were rebuilding their livelihoods, improving their psychosocial well-being and becoming more economically resilient.
“These changes strengthen agency and choice, reduce vulnerability to poverty and violence, including violence against women and girls, and increase opportunities to participate, lead, and influence decisions.
“They contribute to more inclusive, safer, and resilient communities and help build sustainable peace,” she said.
Akano-Bello, however, said persistent structural barriers continued to limit women’s participation in formal peace processes.
Citing UN Women data, she said women accounted for only seven per cent of negotiators and 14 per cent of mediators in major peace processes globally in 2024.
“Patriarchal structures and entrenched social norms continue to limit the leadership, participation, and influence of women and young people in peace and security.
“Lasting peace requires everyone to have a voice and a role,” she said.
She called for peace and security commitments that translate gender equality and inclusion into practice through stronger protection from violence, equitable access to resources and opportunities, and the removal of barriers to participation, leadership, and decision-making.
“Today, we celebrate the peacebuilders who make peace possible every day in their communities,” Akano-Bello said.
