Women's Participation in Peacebuilding: A Study of Selected Areas in Taraba State, 1991-2023
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Abstract
Violent conflicts arising from ethnic, religious, political, land-related, citizenship, and resource-based disputes have shaped peacebuilding needs in Taraba State, Nigeria. This study examined women’s participation in conflict resolution, reconciliation, and peacebuilding in Jalingo, Wukari, and Sardauna Local Government Areas from 1991 to 2023. Using a qualitative approach grounded in documentary and historical evidence, the study analyzed the nature and consequences of violent conflicts and women’s contributions to peacebuilding in the selected areas. The findings indicate that women and children were among the groups most severely affected, experiencing the loss of family members, displacement, property destruction, livelihood losses, economic hardship, and disruption of social relations. Women also played important roles in promoting peace through religious mobilization, including prayer and fasting; community mobilization; women’s associations; peace marches and protests; interfaith engagement; advocacy; dialogue; and informal reconciliation initiatives. Despite these contributions, patriarchal norms, institutional bias, and limited access to decision-making constrained their participation in formal peace and security structures. The study demonstrates the importance of women’s community-based and informal peacebuilding contributions while identifying persistent barriers to institutional participation. These findings emphasize the need for meaningful recognition, institutional support, and women’s inclusion in peace and security decision-making to advance sustainable peacebuilding in Taraba State.
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