Gender, Peace and Security: Women as Agents of Conflict Transformation and Sustainable Peacebuilding in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria's persistent insecurity, manifested in insurgency, communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, political violence and displacement, has significant gendered consequences. Women are often disproportionately affected through displacement, loss of livelihoods, gender-based violence, poverty and increased household responsibilities. However, portraying women primarily as victims overlooks their agency and contributions to conflict prevention, mediation, reconciliation and peacebuilding. This paper theoretically examines gender, peace and security, with particular emphasis on women as agents of conflict transformation and sustainable peacebuilding in Nigeria. The paper draws on Conflict Transformation Theory, Feminist Peace Theory and Social Capital Theory to explain women's roles, capacities and constraints within peace and security processes. Conflict Transformation Theory highlights the need to address relationships, structures and inequalities that reproduce conflict. At the same time, Feminist Peace Theory draws attention to gendered power relations, patriarchy and women's exclusion from security decision-making. Social Capital Theory complements these perspectives by explaining how women's networks, trust and community relationships can facilitate mediation, dialogue and collective peacebuilding. The paper argues that women's meaningful participation should move beyond symbolic representation towards genuine influence and decision-making. It identifies patriarchal norms, limited political representation, inadequate resources, insecurity, tokenistic participation and socio-economic inequalities as major barriers to women's agency. The paper concludes that sustainable peace in Nigeria requires a shift from viewing women as victims to recognising them as agents, leaders and partners in conflict transformation. It recommends strengthening the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, increasing women's meaningful participation in peace and security institutions, supporting women-led peacebuilding organisations, integrating women into early warning mechanisms, addressing structural gender inequalities, and formally recognising women's contributions to community-based peacebuilding.

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