Ending the Niger Delta Crises: Exploring Women's Participation in Peace Processes

A common root cause to the instability revolves round the issue of resource control and socio economic development of the region. However the plight of indigenous women in the face of intractable violence has largely been ignored. The just suspended armed engagement between the Joint military Task Force and various militant groups in the region has created several negative consequences for women and children which is subsumed under the bigger issues of violence. This policy Brief explores recent dynamics in the Niger Delta conflict in the context of the amnesty granted to militants, release of Henry Okah and the plight of the vulnerable groups in all the efforts geared towards resolving the conflicts. This paper attempts to bring the ‘women perspectives' into the fore of events in the region. This brief specifically: Analyzes the recent violence and its impact on women and children; Critically examine the roles of different social groups in the life of the conflict; Highlights women not just as victims but as a group with the capacity to make both positive and negative contributions to the dynamics of the conflict; Explores the accelerators as well as resources for peace; and finally proffers options for response.