The Roles of Nigerian Women as Agents of Peace and Nation Building - Chinyere Linda

Abstract

Notwithstanding the population density of Nigeria and the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in 2000 by the UN, substantial research regarding young Nigerian women full inclusion in peace and nation-building processes, exist within the academic sphere and other organization concerned with women, peace and conflict. Regardless of not much action performed, there is still comparably insufficient attention devoted to analyzing the role of women as agents of peace and nation-building. This article contributes to filling this void by discussing the crucial role that Nigerian women's networks can play in economic recovery and reconciliation, development and political legitimacy, security, and governance.

Keywords: women, Peacebuilding, nation-building and Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria has an estimated population of two hundred and six million (206,000,000) people and half of her population is under 30 years. It is regarded as the largest black nation in the world and the giant of Africa. With more than 250 ethnic groups and over five hundred (500) languages and dialects. Despite her abundant natural resources, sadly, Nigeria continues to struggle with the basic human amenities like food, shelter, electricity amongst others, after 59 years of independence. Conflict is rampant and “normal” in many communities. Gambo (2015 P.45) says that ‘Conflict can be positive and functional if we construct only the right attitude towards it whenever it breaks out in the society’. Unfortunately, looking back at the history of Nigeria since the civil war, conflicts have consistently been violent with devastating effects on the Nigerian economy and its people, particularly women and children. The clearest instance abounds; The Boko haram insurgency, ethnic-religious clashes, violent clashes between nomadic pastoralists and some farming communities, among others have in the past two decades brought untold hardship and sorrow: Physically, emotionally, financially and mentally too many Nigerian women in Benue, Gombe, Bauchi Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, among others. Aside from this problem, Nigeria faces poor governance because of corruption.

The past two decades have witnessed an increased discussion about women’s budding roles in decision making of peace and nation-building; for instance platforms like the Beijing Conference in 1995 and United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 of 2000 happened when Liberia and other countries like Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were in the middle of civil and armed conflicts with this agenda on the international table, part of the Liberia’s peace story automatically involved multitudes of women. This is because women realized their worth and rare competence to change not only the conflict situation, but the consequence it will have on them and the society.

While some women have contributed positively to the progress of humanity and achieving good governance in Nigeria, there is still an urgent need to educate, empower, inspire and, advocate for the right of more young, vibrant women elected into power, provide them with the adequate information because it is the chief element to strengthen this race. According to Diane Marie’s child, “A woman is the full circle and within her is the power to create, nurture and transform”. In this context, a youthful woman is one within the range of 18-45 years of age. She is a beautiful creature, soft and silk outwardly, but inwardly strong. She can manage every situation with her gentle touch, with her love and care; she handles her duties, she is the power of her man, can multitask for 18hours continuously without getting tired. She is an embodiment of genuine beauty and in every society she finds herself, she is a mediator, a pacesetter, a peacebuilder, and a molder of the nation’s destiny. Her roles are enormous and one will wonder why she has remained under-discussed and unexplored in governance, especially as an agent of peace and nation-building in the 21st century.

The role of women in peace and nation-building cannot be over-emphasized having her in governance is a privilege and a gift we should embrace. Few policymakers responsible for nation-building would argue against the zenith of establishing a democratic society where the rights of women are respected. This dissertation asserts that including youth, women in the affairs of peace and nation-building is paramount for good governance, peace, and substantial development. We must reckon women as a majority; allow them to be participants at the commanding heights of policy-making and decisions and execution of these in the overriding interest of the general good of our people. In over one way, the interventions of amazing women have minimized the impact of conflict on communities and society at large. Women need opportunity because they also play very important roles at various levels and were also part of the discussion for peace negotiation and resolution in Liberia. The “Not Too Young to Run” bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 31st of May 2018, was an initiative made by “female members of the state House of Assembly”. The pinnacle now is moving women beyond the humanitarian front of the table to where they will be visibly active in the platforms of public decision making, Peacebuilding, and nation molding.

Women are learning to walk and talk rather than apportion blames to the past and present leaders. They deserve an equal opportunity 50:50 in leadership.


The Concept of Peace and Nation Building

When we talk about peace, the first thing that comes to our mind is the absence of war. But, defining peace extensively, it is not just the absence of war, but a situation of living honorably, having the basic human amenities and dying peacefully

Johan Galtung propounded ..........

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OP, u shld hv broken dis ur thesis into paragraphs 2 make it appealing & encourage wide readership of it!

D way it's looking voluminously clumsy, it discourages #LazyYouths already!

Meanwhile, I'm earnestly waiting 4 either d summary or d abridged version b4 I know what 2 comment!


No long thing!