Women and Peace Building in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the role of Nigerian women in peace building processes in the country from the colonial era to date; using library research and interview methods. The paper argues that despite economic, political, religious and cultural restrictions, Nigerian women have contributed significantly to peace building in the country. However, their contributions have not been recognized and encouraged by both federal and state governments as women are poorly represented at all levels of decisionmaking, especially in post-conflict resolution commissions of Inquiries. The near absence of women from these commissions of Inquiry missed out on the contributions of women, which are different from those of men. Women are central to conflict resolution in its entirety. This explains why the United Nations insist that member nations should involve women in all processes of peace. With the present consciousness of women’s involvement in postconflict resolution, the paper concludes by urging federal and state governments to adopt equitable gender representation in future commissions of Inquiry.