Women’s role in peacebuilding – Our Security, Our Peace by Prof. O.E Bassey

The presence of women in positions of leadership can significantly lessen the likelihood of violent conflict arising, as well as the prospects for peaceful resolution of existing disputes. According to research, countries with higher gender equality are more likely to resolve crises peacefully and less likely to utilize military action to settle international disputes. Countries with larger gender gaps, on the other hand, are more likely to be embroiled in interstate and intrastate conflict.

In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325, which “urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional, and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.”

The UN adopted this resolution because evidence suggests that higher levels of gender equality are closely associated to higher levels of security and stability. In reality, women’s involvement in conflict prevention and resolution has the potential to improve outcomes before, during, and after the conflict. The continued failure to involve women in peace processes ignores their demonstrable contributions and wastes an opportunity to respond more effectively to local security issues.

Why women should participate in peacebuilding

Work across broad

Women frequently work collaboratively to promote peace and organize across cultural and sectarian lines. According to research, such an approach, which takes into account the concerns of diverse demographics (e.g., religious, ethnic, and cultural groups) affected by a conflict and interested in its resolution, increases the chances of long-term stability while decreasing the likelihood of state failure, conflict onset, and poverty.

Capacity for mass mobilization

Women frequently contribute to peacemaking by using prominent and visible strategies to put pressure on parties to sign agreements and start or resume peace talks. In numerous nations, women’s organizations have effectively organized large-scale protests and sparked public awareness campaigns to support the advancement of peace negotiations. More mass action efforts in favor of peace agreements have been coordinated by women’s organizations recently than by any other social group.

Enlarge agendas

Women are more likely to bring up social issues during talks to help societies reconcile and recover. Evidence suggests that women frequently bring up issues in conflict resolution processes that go beyond military action, power-sharing arrangements, and territorial gains, instead introducing political and legal reforms, social and economic recovery priorities, and transitional justice concerns that can help agreements last longer. Example in recent times has been the strong advocacy for women’s rights, women’s political participation, and punition for gender-based violence which has but guaranteed a safer space for the women folks in the society.

Women participation strengthens security agencies

Female security professionals frequently have access to populations and places that are inaccessible to men, improving intelligence regarding potential security issues. Women can better screen women during searches, which helps to narrow a security gap that extremists are increasingly exploiting.

Women have a comparative advantage in interactions with community members, which increases situational awareness and assists military commanders in carrying out their missions, which include civilian protection.

They are also less likely than their male counterparts to use excessive force and far more likely to de-escalate tensions and build trust with the communities they serve, thereby advancing stability and the rule of law.

Boost post-conflict recovery

Increasing diversity—including women’s participation—in post-conflict rehabilitation and rebuilding processes promotes stability. Women are more likely to focus post-conflict resources to the rehabilitation of public institutions and the provision of services vital to long-term stability, such as schools, healthcare, clean drinking water, and judicial systems.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Meanwhile, I am delighted to inform you that come October, 1, 2024, we at NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

To this end is our campaign to spread the education of peace leadership to both the old as young, women and children in various places from corporate organisations, to political organizations, worship centers, educational institutions, markets and communities.

It is in our belief that the more educated the people are in respect to peace leadership, the more peaceful our country will become.

So this is a call-to-action, to hop on our Peace campaign train, to arm yourself, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, your congregation with contemporary peace leadership knowledge that makes for a happier and more fulfilled life, personally and collectively.

Kindly call or send a message on Whatsapp to +2347065828892, to be a beneficiary of this.

Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Leadership, Conflict, Peace and Security Management Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

Ofonime is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently a Professor of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution with ICOF University, USA/Zambia and a Professor of Peace Education with Charismatic International University, Cameroon.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership.

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2030 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For leadership, conflict, peace and security consultations and trainings, reach him via:

Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey

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WhatsApp: +2347065828892

Mail: emmanuelbassey@gmail.co