Women as Viable Actors in Conflict Resolution and Panacea to Insecurity Caused by Boko Haram Insurgence in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The basic objectives of this paper are to contribute to the discussion of security and the protection of women's fundamental human rights, gender and inclusion, and the relationship between gender and peace-building; to be of value for the general discussion on national insecurity, and more specifically to assist the ongoing process of achieving a lasting peace and conflict resolution in Borno state. Women living in northern Nigeria face a herculean challenge of overcoming direct and indirect violence. These include domestic violence, political instability, social inequality, and the threat of Boko Haram. Boko Haram is an extremist militant group that has been known to kidnap, rape and torture women and young girls as means of terrorizing the Nigerian community. Hence, from the beginning of the human era, women, based on their assumed tenderness, have been subjected to domestic and nurturing tasks. This is because the global society has assumed a patriarchal nature. To this end, the paper attended to basic issues of the study decolonizing and engendering conflict resolution frameworks to desired security and transformative peace, ascertaining a dynamic peace process and rights can be negotiated, protected and promoted, especially in Islamic-based societies which experience a significant political transition and sustainable peace in countries such as Afghanistan; and finally, drawing best practices to advance inclusive policies where fundamental rights are protected and to ensure women's meaningful participation in peace processes. This study adopted the social bond and feminist theory by attempting to explain the significance of women in the society. The position of the paper is that in the global society, people still think that women can do little or nothing, and it is very pervasive in Nigeria, especially when it involves issues of social development and security as perceived with regard to insecurity. This suggests that the involvement of women in the fight against insecurity and counter-terrorism in the global world has not been effectively utilized. Nigeria, just like many developing countries, does not agree with the popular parlance of 'behind every successful man, there is a woman.' The study, therefore, recommends that greater attention should be channelled toward women's involvement in the development process of fighting insecurity and strengthening national security.