United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called for increased funding and protection for Nigerian women working to prevent conflict and rebuild communities.
Mohammed made the call on Friday night at the maiden Nigeria Women Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Governance Summit and Awards, organised by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in Abuja.
“Women are mediating local disputes, supporting families affected by insecurity and rebuilding livelihoods.
“Yet this work too often receives little funding, protection or influence over decisions, and we have to change that,” she said.
She urged governments and development partners to support women-led organisations and ensure survivors of violence have access to justice and care.
“It means funding women’s organisations and ensuring survivors of violence can access justice and care,” Mohammed said.
She also warned that rising demand for critical minerals presented both opportunities and risks. She urged stakeholders to ensure the benefits reach communities, particularly women and young people.
“Growing demand for critical minerals brings new opportunities, but also risks that we must address, so that this wealth benefits our communities, especially our women and youth,” she said.
NCWS National President Princess Edna Azura said women continued to face exclusion from political processes, including party formation and primaries, limiting their access to leadership positions.
She called for greater involvement of women in peacebuilding, mediation, community security and reconciliation, urging political leaders to include them in decisions affecting their communities.
“We are not asking for positions as a favour; we are asking for fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity,” Azura said.
She also urged women to organise, support one another and strengthen their participation in governance, rather than allow divisions to weaken their collective voice.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the Federal Government recognised women as important partners in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
Represented by Princess Jummai Idonije, chairperson of the Governing Council of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, she said women must be involved in peace and security processes, guided by the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said women should not only be protected during conflicts but should also participate in shaping and sustaining peace.
“True political voice and peacebuilding require economic independence,” she said.
She stressed the importance of women’s economic empowerment and said they should have opportunities to participate in governance and influence decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sen. Philip Aduda also called for greater support for women and girls, emphasising the need to empower them across the country. He pledged to support initiatives that advance their welfare and opportunities.
“I will work for the progress of the girl child, of the women not only of the FCT, but of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Aduda said.
The summit brought together government officials, women leaders and other stakeholders to discuss women’s roles in peacebuilding, democracy and inclusive governance.
