Abstract
Over the last two decades, while significant consideration is given to women’s participation and representation in formal peacebuilding processes, there is the dearth of research on the grassroots level involvement and contributions of women to peacebuilding processes in post-conflict communities. Utilizing 28 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions with women in Bukuru and Gyel communities, this article aims at improving the understandings on the agency of women in building and sustaining peace in polarized post-conflict communities in Plateau State, Nigeria. The article argues that in spite of the global marginalisation of women in formal peace processes, women are actively involved in peacebuilding and use various forms of individual and collective agency to restore harmonious relations, build peace and foster social cohesion in polarized post-conflict communities.
Highlights
Prior to the September 2001 conflict, Plateau State1 has always been considered as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations were harmonious.2 things changed when series of violent ethno-religious conflicts disrupted the peace in the state between the periods of 2001 and 2011, leading to the death of as many as 7000 people; the wanton destruction of properties; the loss of means of livelihood; the loss of access to essential services and the displacement of people within Jos and other parts of the State (Krause, 2018)
Through bringing the concepts from political science and gender studies, we argue that the daily agency of women in peacebuilding has the potential to change perceptions, build trust, mutual cooperation and build peace in polarized post-conflict communities where relations have been severed
Interview and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used as the methods for data collection which allowed the women in their own voices to articulate their experiences, efforts and the key factors that encouraged their agency in peacebuilding
Summary
Prior to the September 2001 conflict, Plateau State has always been considered as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations were harmonious. things changed when series of violent ethno-religious conflicts disrupted the peace in the state between the periods of 2001 and 2011, leading to the death of as many as 7000 people; the wanton destruction of properties; the loss of means of livelihood; the loss of access to essential services and the displacement of people within Jos and other parts of the State (Krause, 2018). The protracted conflict in Plateau State has no doubt left an indelible mark in the state which is evident in the religiously polarized settlement pattern (Aliyu, Abdullahi, Rozilah, Kasim & David, 2015) in some post-conflict communities in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas. In such communities, the settlement pattern depicts Christians on one side of the divide and Muslims on the other with an invisible border which is respected by both sides of the divide. This, has given room for a high level of mistrust, mutual suspicion and severed relations between the inhabitants of the settlements
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