Perpetrators and victims: Exploring women's roles in ethno-religious conflicts in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Non-state actors have become important actors in conflicts across the globe and pose significant threats to women. While the foregoing portrayal of women as vulnerable  victims of violent ethnoreligious conflict is evident, little is mentioned about their roles as perpetrators of violence. Using the ethnoreligious violence in Plateau State in north-central Nigeria, we interrogate the nature of violence against women, their roles as  perpetrators of violence and existing initiatives to protect them, prevent future violence and empower them. This paper relies on conflict theories to understand the underlying causes of ethno religious conflict and the concept of human security which has   expanded views on the meaning of security, particularly from the perspectives of women and their roles and positions within their communities. The paper contributes to the discourse on women’s roles and narratives in political contexts characterised by the interplay of ethnic and religious identities and examines how peace building and conflict prevention initiatives can take these into account.

Keywords: Women, Human Security, Conflict Theory, Peace building, Plateau State