Breaking Barriers: The Role of Civil society in Empowering Women for Decision-Making and Peacebuilding in Nigeria

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most pervasive and persistent human rights violations. It transcends geographical boundaries and manifests in various forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. In the context of Nigeria, women and girls are particularly vulnerable to various forms of violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual and gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, trafficking and domestic violence. VAWG has devastating consequences for the physical, mental, social and economic well-being of women and girls, as well as their families and communities. Despite the prevalence and severity of VAWG in Nigeria, the response from the state and its actors has been inadequate.

In light of various monitoring and evaluation projects by Nextier for its clients, this Nextier SPD Policy Weekly highlights non-state actors’ contributions in addressing VAWG and enhancing women’s role in peacebuilding in Nigeria. This article builds upon the findings of the Nextier programme evaluation. It shows that empowering women, promoting their participation in decision-making, and fostering community-wide acceptance of women’s involvement in peacebuilding is crucial for advancing their human rights and achieving gender equality in Nigeria.

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