Women Leadership and Conflict Resolutions in Nigeria: A Case Study of Amaigbo Women Association, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Social experts have undoubtedly agreed that conflict is inherent in every human relationship due to clashes of interest. Many studies have also proven that women are the major players in conflict existing in social relationships. In view of this, peace and conflict resolution experts are of the view that women should be given fairground in the management of conflicts if there should be a floor for peaceful co-existence in our various communities. This paper examines the extent to which women leadership affects conflict resolutions amongst Amaigbo Women Associations in Imo State. In this respect, conflict resolution is measured with dimensions such as conciliation, mediation, and arbitration. Three hypotheses were formulated, and a structured questionnaire was distributed to seventy-two respondents in the thirty-six women associations studied. Two respondents, each consisting of the Chairperson and Secretary, were purposively chosen from the thirty-six women associations. Seventy-two copies of the questionnaire were produced and administered, but only sixty-two copies were retrieved and used together with the information obtained through an interview for analysis. The findings revealed that the role of women associations is very relevant to peacekeeping and conflict resolution in our society. The implication of the findings is that women associations were highly engaged in the use of mediation; they also used the conciliation process sometimes but moderately used arbitration in resolving conflicts amongst the people of Amaigbo and its environs in Imo State. Based on these, the study recommends, amongst others, that women associations should be given powers and authority to engage in peace-building and conflict resolution roles, especially in the areas of conciliation, mediation, and arbitration.