March 2020
The Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) Programme commissioned a study to assess progress on gender and peacebuilding.
The study was conducted in July to August 2019 and monitored progress from the baseline assessment conducted in 2017-18. Research methods included key informant interviews and focus groups discussions.
Stakeholders gathered in in October 2019 to validate the findings. The results revealed that there was some continuity and changes in the impact of the insurgency on women, men, youth, and persons with disabilities since 2017.
Highlights are as follows:
- Women and children were significantly impacted by the insurgency and remained the most displaced segment of the population.
- The condition of women and girls remained precarious in displaced persons camps and host communities due to inadequate supplies, sexual and gender-based violence, and a lack of livelihood opportunities.
- The impact of the insurgency on gender and how it is influencing the reversal of gender roles as women become the main income earners for families.
- The inequality, discrimination and marginalisation that contributed to the onset of violence are still evident and undermine resolution initiatives. For example, in Northern Adamawa State, an ethnic group that joined the insurgent group because its members historically faced social exclusion, is still socially excluded.
- Counter-insurgency and peacebuilding interventions have not effectively targeted persons with disabilities.
The assessment proposed targeted recommendations for the federal government, state governments, security agencies, international NGOs, and MCN.
