Introduction

Gender equality has been a point of debate in the recent past. This is based on the ability to accord equal rights and opportunity for both genders where discrimination and prejudice are prevented. In Nigeria, gender equality and related issues are prevalent in different cases.

This is where the female gender is facing different inequalities and challenges, which are making it hard for them to cope and become effective in community participation and development (. This is based on the rise of various forms of conflict in the region, such as the Boko Haram and Harder-Farmer conflicts.

These are negatively impacting the country’s economy, and they are also affecting women and gender dynamics in the area. Therefore, this research outlines the way such conflicts have led to issues impacting women, such as gender-based violence, and also impacts the roles of women in society. Also, the discussion outlines the relationship between conflict and political participation of women in the country and the post-conflict challenges and opportunities available in the case of women in Nigeria.

Literature review

This study fits into international relations, conflict, and gender-based issues. The study integrates the operations of women in times of conflict and how such actions impact their economic and social participation. Also, it provides an outlook on the political basis and its relation to women’s involvement in times of conflict and the impact this has on a country’s performance and growth as well as on the women themselves. The study compares with other regions, such as the UK and the US, and how they have ensured effective gender relations and women’s participation compared to Nigeria. It provides a comprehensive view of women and gender in conflict, the factors relating to conflict, and the women’s ability to cope and change in the process and adapt to the changing state of affairs. The study outlines the impact of such conflicts on women and gender dynamics and the importance of ensuring women’s participation in national, social, and economic affairs and involvement in the process.

Women and Gender in Conflict and Post-Conflict Politics in Nigeria

Gender-based violence and the role of women in conflict in Nigeria

Gender-based violence is based on actions that negatively affect the operations and lives of a particular gender. According to a report in 2022, there has been a rise in gender-based violence in Nigeria due to armed conflicts such as sexual violence, where this is not only an action of the insurgents and criminal groups but also security forces in the region (Oladapo et al., 2021.

It is seen in the form of harmful acts and forms of violence which is directed towards a specific gender. Gender-based violence is prevalent in Nigeria, where 31% and 9% of women have experienced such forms of violence in terms of physical and sexual abuse, respectively (United Nations Development Program, 20222). In times of conflict, gender-based violence is also possible, where this is mainly directed at women in Nigeria. This gender suffers a lot during such events, which impacts them in various ways. For instance, conflicts such as the ongoing Boko Haram insurgence have led to multiple modes of gender-based violence (Oladapo et al., 2021; International Rescue Committee, 2017).

This is associated with rape and physical abuse of women during conflict and kidnapping them to be wives or to give birth to more children, which the operations of extremist groups can quickly radicalize (Crisis Group, 2016; Oladapo et al., 2021). Also, such violence is evident with the authorities where the law enforcement has also been judged and alleged of engaging in such forms of violence towards women while in conflict with other groups (Crisis Group, 2016).

The role of women in conflict is evident in the case of Boko haram. This is where women have been used to be wives for the fighters. This issue is rising, and its management and resolution are ineffective in the region. Such is based on the fact that the security forces also engage in these acts. Therefore, this has reduced trust in the security forces and the ability of people to rely on them to protect them.

Also, there is a culture of silence witnessed where people keep quiet when such issues arise, with fear of stigmatization, further violence, and retaliation being the reason (Centre for Civilians in Conflict, 2019). Hence, this makes it easy for such cases to go unpunished. At the same time, the government is relaxed in dealing with cases where there is a landing for the bodies that are stated to deal with these issues. Therefore, it makes it hard to tackle the problem (Centre for Civilians in Conflict, 2019).

Compared to the UK and the US, gender-based violence is much more advocated for, and these regions have stronger legal frameworks that have been set to ensure that this does not occur or the people who engage in these actions do not go unpunished(United Nations, 2024). The two regions are not immune to gender-based violence. Still, controlling these issues is much more effective based on the lower rates of conflict witnessed in Nigeria and tighter security in these countries.

Also, the fighters have used women to act as spies since they can quickly go unnoticed in different regions, and this is coupled with them being used as recruiters and massagers. Also, female recruiters have been used in 2014 by Boko Haram as suicide bombers, hence actively including them in fighting (Crisis Group, 2016).

Also, these women have been used by law enforcement authorities in the region. This is where they are used in checkpoints to frisk females and also as gathers of intelligence, which has been essential in the identification of suspects coupled with their involvement in directly fighting the militant group (Crisis Group, 2016; Oladapo et al., 2021).

At the same time, women-led activist groups have risen to advocate for girls’ rights and champion the release of girls such as the Chibok girls, who Boko Haram abducted (Oladapo et al., 2021). Also, these women have been detained and placed in detention camps where they are facing poor conditions in terms of food and healthcare.

This is attached to the women taking many roles in society and the family with them going to fight the insurgence and also due to those radicalized by the group (Crisis Group, 2016). Compared to the UK and the US, women also are used in times of conflict or in upholding security. This is where they have been enlisted in law enforcement and in the military to aid in capturing and determining security threats to the countries.

Also, many women-led activist groups are concerned with the rights of their fellow women and ensuring that issues such as gender-based violence and discrimination do not occur (Crisis Group, 2016). The governments are also supporting women’s participation, which is not only in the national sense but also championing the same in the international arena.

Conflict has, therefore, changed and determined the role of women in Nigeria. For instance, more complicated farmer conflict has impacted the aspirations of women operating in the region (Centre for Civilians in Conflict, 2019). This is where women living 0-15 km from the conflict zones have lowered aspirations due to the high levels of disruptions, and those living 30-45 km away from the conflict where such aspirations are reduced as the broader impacts on the economy are felt for women (CGIAR, 2024).

Also, there has been a reduction in economic activities for women in such regions, shifting to engagement in household activities and operating off-farmaspects. This includes ownership, where the women are solely operating such farms (CGIAR, 2024). Women have been forced to adapt to the changes for survival due to fewer opportunities inthese zones.

This has also reduced collaboration for women in society, where women are not likely to engage in mutual aid in societies. However, they are becoming part of community support and protection groups. This has shifted the narrativefrom collaboration-related strategies to survival-related ones(Orisadare, 2019; Oladapo et al., 2021).

Women’s Political Participation

Regarding political participation and involvement in various government operations, women in Nigeria have assumed different roles in aiding peace-building and promoting effectiveness in the region. As indicated, they are participating actively in security agencies, and they have also been seen through activist groups to champion women’s rights and the release of held and kidnapped girls by Boko Haram (Oladapo et al., 2021).

According to data and statistics, women make up 19% of all the candidates in times of election (Nkereuwem, 2019). Also, from 1999 to 2015, women’s representation in the House of Representatives was based on them occupying 12-26 seats out of 360 seats, and around 51% of women are involved in the voting process during elections (Imhomoh, 2023).

However, they are still underrepresented in both elective and appointive positions (Oloyede, 2016). This shows a lack ofadequate representation for women, which offers a negative picture of society and its progression economically and socially(Orisadare, 2019). It brings cases of gender discrimination directed towards women and the steps the country needs to perform to ensure that this is possible.

This is because women’s inclusion in the political scene is low. Hence, their ability to contribute their opinions and for the country to ensure inclusive and collaborative growth is not ineffective. However, according to research, conflict has shifted the role of women in politics, where proximity to these areas has led to more involvement in political parties and the associated membership (Orisadare, 2019; Crisis Group, 2016). This has been an effective way to voice their views and perspectives on the conflict.

However, there have been reports of poor engagement and collaboration with the government and its officials, limiting participation. Also, their involvement in politics is facing setbacks with poor commitment to gender equality in the region and the fact that various bills related to the same have not been passed in the National Assembly, as seen in 2022 (The Conversation, 2023). Therefore, this has limited their participation in championing their rights and gaining effective representation.

When comparing the UK and the US, political participation for women is higher. In the UK, the number of men is high in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. However, the rate of women’s participation is rising, where it stands at 35% in the House of Commons and 29% in the House of Lords (House of Commons Library, 2023).

In the US, women comprise 29.9% and 33.7% of the state senate and state house or assembly seats, respectively (Schaeffer, 2023). This number is higher than in Nigeria, showing countries more committed to including women in political participation and upholding gender equality. However, the two countries have issues when it comes to therepresentation of women of color, where they are underrepresented in the political scene.

Also, there is the rise of systematic barriers which prevent the effective presentation of women in this stage. At the same time, the three countries arestill suffering from inequalities in gender presentation, where the male gender makes up a high number of the people who occupy most of the seats in politics and essential positions (House of Commons Library, 2023; Schaeffer, 2023; The Conversation, 2023).

The lack of women’s participation is also based on their perceptions of these political parties. For instance, they stated that they would not want to join these parties as they are held at night and would not get the time to meet during such hours. Also, they have claimed that these parties are violent and such actions scare women into joining them (Orisadare, 2019). Consequently, most of the women are illiterate, and this acts as a barrier to uphold participation (Orisadare, 2019).

Post-Conflict Challenges and Opportunities

Women have been seen to emerge as central cogs in the operations of communities post-conflict. This is where they are left with central and key roles and duties to perform, which are directly related to rebuilding the communities. For instance, inthe more complex farmer conflicts, women have emerged as farmers and have owned different off-firms where they are conducting business (Center for Civilians in Conflict, 2019).

However, they are also grieving and left with the burden of coping without the presence of their family members, such as their husbands and children or fathers. They are then left to replace and fill the gap left after conflicts. Also, they are empowered to undertake leadership positions. However, women’s participation has been available in Nigeria since the pre-colonial period; after the struggle and during the battle for independence, the role of women has been seen when they have been involved in different operations to aid the country in becoming independent (Oloyede, 2016).

Also, after colonization, women were motivated to take up roles, such as creating the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), based on various independent organizations gearedtowards championing women’s needs and rights (Orisadare, 2019). The movement has been based on ensuring that women are given the same opportunities and chances as men by including them in decision-making and other issues affecting them and society. However, this has been hard and not easy to be effective.

This is due to women’s challenges in ensuring effective participation. For instance, support for the growth and performance of such movements is not a priority by the country’s government and other political actors (Orisadare, 2019). These groups have not been effectively recognized in the country, ensuring they cannot effectively make a significant change and fully participate in economic and political spheres(Orisadare, 2019).

Also, women do not get support from their male counterparts to push for the performance and growth of the movements. However, with the existing issues, women’s groups have persisted and gained some form of recognition in Nigeria, where they have addressed different issues relating to their welfare and the welfare of women affected by conflict(Orisadare, 2019).

Opportunities are also available where there is the potential to align with international bodies that champion women’s rights and their welfare and the potential to push for transformative changes in the country (CGIAR, 2024). Compared to the US and the UK, post-conflict operations have been evident. For instance, they have been involved in community building and support, peace-building, and reconstruction efforts in collaboration with the government and the male gender (Olofsson, 2018; African Development Bank, 2023).

Women’s participation and operations in these countries are much more advanced than in Nigeria. However, there is a persisting issue of involving women from minority communities in different echelons and positions in the government and society.

Conclusion

Women have suffered a lot and also have played various roles in Nigeria about conflict. This is based on gender-based violence, which is directed toward women by criminal groups and security forces. Also, they have been involved in criminal activities for these groups. Security forces have also used them to uphold security, indicating their diverse roles in government and criminaltors.

These conflicts have impacted them, and they have engaged more in social and community roles. They have taken up roles that are being conducted by men since most of themhave gone to fight on either side of the system. The women have, therefore, had to take up such roles and ensure the community’s survival. They have also created movements and activist groups to champion the rights and welfare of their fellow women. However, such political participation has been limited, making it hard for women to effectively champion their issues and rights.

This is based on their limited involvement in national and local governments in the country. However, post-conflict, women are seen to take up various roles to build the community and ensure the survival of society and operations. However, this has also been associated with limited political participation due to a lack of support and recognition, preventing their effectiveinvolvement and ability to boost their welfare.

Policymakers need to ensure that the participation of women in political areas and the community is much more effective. Nigeria should borrow from advanced economies such as the UK and the US, where these have managed to uphold equality and fairness for women. This will ensure collaborative and inclusive growth in the country and prevent them from being misused by criminal functions.

Written by Chimsom Chidera Ifeanyi

A Public Relations Professional

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