WOMEN INCLUSION IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

The growing insecurity in Nigeriaespecially triggered by Boko Haram insurgency, Herdsmen attack, activities of Cattle rustlers and communal clashes has necessitated the need for conflict resolution at varied levels both at the grassroot and at the level of the federal government, thus making the need for adequate legislative policies imperatively urgent.

Women and girls being the worst hit in conflict situations be it domestic violence or communal crises or war situations. The women are the ones who bear the brunt of the aftermath of these conflicts. They have to deal with displacement away from home, threat to life, death of loved ones and breadwinners, loss of livelihood and properties resulting to youth drug abuse, poverty, teen pregnancies, health issues, amongst many others. The resultant effect of these is that they are left to re-build what is left of their families & lives, take up extra responsibilities caused by the death or displacement of loved ones.

Thus they are not just victims but also targets of abuse and violence in conflict situations. This makes them a strategic part in the peace building process. Ironically however, the society and existing structures does not allow them active participation in peace processes.

This gender inequality is a result of the interplay of cultural and socio-economic factors, patriarchal factors and lack of adequate legal framework to ensure the promotion of women and girls rights.

Over the years, women have been relegated to household or family level peace building and conflict management, relief work  and in community peace building thus marginalized from the top hierarchy of decision making structures and main stream peace and security bodies (Armed Forces, Police, etc) with an insignificant representation at the state and national level for key positions. This is traced to our traditional and religious beliefs where:

• Women need permission from their husbands to participate in activities outside the home front;
• Fear of sexual assault and abuse;
• Little or no educational qualifications;
• Low self esteem;
• Religious and cultural beliefs that frowns at public involvement of women;
• Little or no exposure to needed and adequate information;
• Lack of confidentiality;
• Poor accessibility to reporting and response support mechanism;
• Bureaucratic and procedural delays in accessing authorities and justice.

This exclusion and marginalization within the broad context of decision making is clearly seen also in the number of female representation in elective positions especially as Legislators, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Local Government Chairpersons.

The access to reporting mechanisms and protection services for women & girls saffected by human rights abuse and gender based violence is either not available or treated with levity as women are still punished, stigmatized and shamed when they experience sexual assault and rape thus encouraging a culture of silence, cover-up and impunity. Those women who dare to venture into politics or strive to attain professional career heights are labeled as irresponsible, rebels and are shamed. With less women at Legislative levels, salient issues and policies that bother on women welfare are relegated to the background given rise to very weak policies or in some cases no legislation on the issues.

The Legislature needs to come up with interventions at various levels that will build on the existing wave of peace promotion agendas. The need to emphasize on female capacity development in leadership skills, human capital and professional and conflict management competencies should be considered as priority. Considerable and sustained technical and resource support is required to add momentum to the much talked about advocacy for gender equality legislation, as well as the need for trained personnel and needed infrastructure.

The bodies, organizations, agencies, stakeholders and especially the NGO’S saddled with these responsibilities should be given the necessary support both financially and otherwise to execute their mandates.

Without well thought-out, clearly defined and effective laws and legal processes to promote affirmative action for women in politics and decision making, women are not likely to form a critical mass in governance thus perpetuating the cycle of female exclusion.

For Nigeria to fully address the growing insecurity challenges facing the country, as well as reduce the escalating violence against women and girls to the barest minimum, women must be fully involved in peace building, conflict management and decision making processes.

Reference: Summary report of Baseline Survey (Adamawa, Plateau & Gombe States of Nigeria) produced and published by UN Women Nigeria Country Office.

 

Written by: Nelly Nwaka’ Ohuche

www.women4womenng.blogspot.com

www.wetellit.blogspot.com

@DNellyJ  @divas_true  @HYPE_PR