Women, peace and security in Nigeria: Examining the domestic and international legal framework

Abstract

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is regarded by many as the most significant global framework for increasing the role of
women in conflict resolutions. The risks to women and children, and the importance of involving women in peace issues have been
recognized as a global issue. There is a growing understanding of violence against women, generally and particularly in armed conflict including the issues of sexual violence. Women are often excluded from peace processes, reflecting the fact that the majority of the actors in conflicts are men and the masculine nature of conflict and peace. Hence this paper considers and highlights a range of ways in which women’s capacity can be developed so that their full inclusion in all peace and security developments can be achieved. This paper explores the issue of women participation in peace and security in Nigeria with special focus on the challenges and prospects. From the research, the paper finds that there exists a gap between the gender’s participation in issues relating to Peace and Security in Nigeria. The paper thereby recommends that the Nigerian government should develop legal frameworks and policies that will promote the inclusion of women in conflict resolutions.

Keywords: Gender, Women, Peace, Sexual Violence, Security.