Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
Efforts to strengthen grassroots peace-building and conflict prevention mechanisms in Northern Nigeria received a boost on Saturday with the inauguration of the Sokoto Women Mediators Network (SWMN) by International Alert Nigeria in Sokoto State.
The initiative, unveiled under the Resilience, Engagement and Conflict Prevention for At-Risk Populations’ Protection in Sokoto State (RECAP) Project, is designed to expand women’s participation in mediation, dialogue and community based peacebuilding amid growing security and social challenges confronting several parts of the country.
The RECAP project is being implemented by a consortium comprising International Alert Nigeria, Action Against Hunger, and Save the Child Initiative, with funding support from the European Union (EU).
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Sokoto, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Hadiza Shagari, represented by the ministry’s Director of Women Affairs, Hauwa’u Umar Jabo, said women remain indispensable stakeholders in stabilizing communities and preventing violent conflicts.
Shagari described the establishment of the network as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening inclusive peace processes and promoting women’s involvement in resolving communal conflicts.
“Strengthening women-led mediation platforms will help address gender specific conflict drivers, improve inclusive dialogue, and build stronger community resilience against violence and instability,” she said.
The Commissioner assured the network of the Sokoto State Government’s support and urged members to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving as active advocates of peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion across communities.
In his remarks, the Project Manager of International Alert Nigeria, Mr. Sanusi Audu, said the initiative was conceived to amplify women’s voices in peace processes, particularly at the grassroots where women often play critical but largely unrecognized roles in dispute resolution and community reconciliation.
“The network is designed to integrate into the national women mediators framework, serving as a locally owned and independent platform that amplifies women’s leadership in conflict prevention, mediation and peace building,” Audu stated.
He explained that the organisation’s interventions focus on breaking cycles of violence through inclusive, conflict-sensitive and community-centred approaches to justice, dialogue and reconciliation.
According to him, the RECAP project seeks to reduce drivers of conflict and promote peaceful coexistence in Sokoto State through inclusive dialogue, women and youth empowerment, and equitable resource management.
Audu noted that the establishment of the women mediators network represented a significant milestone toward sustaining community-level peace building structures.
“This platform brings together 30 committed women mediators drawn from government institutions, the justice sector, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups and development partners to strengthen social cohesion and inclusive dialogue in Sokoto State,” he added.
He further disclosed that International Alert Nigeria has supported peace building and conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria since 2011, with interventions focused on rebuilding social cohesion and assisting vulnerable populations affected by violent conflicts.
Also speaking, the District Head of Gagi, Sani Umar, described women’s inclusion in leadership and decision-making processes as essential to addressing societal conflicts and promoting moral values within communities.
“Women empowerment and active participation in leadership and mediation processes remain key to addressing many of the conflicts affecting our society today,” he said.
The event featured deliberations on the network’s vision, mission, operational framework and code of conduct.
Participants also elected leaders and adopted terms of reference to guide the expansion of mediation and peacebuilding activities across local government areas in the state.
Stakeholders at the event said the initiative reflects growing recognition of women’s roles in conflict resolution and community stabilisation as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges including banditry, communal violence, displacement and social fragmentation across several regions.
