Women as factor in peacemaking and peacebuilding in the Niger delta region

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been rocked by conflicts since the 1960s, unfortunately women and children suffer the most from the consequences occasioned by activities of oil exploration and vandalization. Very few studies though have paid attention to the role and concerns of women in the peacemaking and peace building processes in the region. It is against this background that this study seeks to locate the role of women in attempt to solving the imbroglio. Four research questions were generated for this study. The research design is ex-post-facto and comprised of 120 women randomly selected from three states. Disproportionate stratified sampling technique was used for selecting 20 respondents each from the two selected local government areas in each of the states, making 40 respondents in each state and 120 in the three (3) selected states. The local government areas are Ogbia, Nembe (Bayelsa State), Burutu, Warri South (Delta State), Port-Harcourt and Okrika (Rivers State) respectively. The instrument titled ‘Women’s Concerns Scale’ (WCS) was utilized for the study. The data collected through the questionnaires was analyzed using simple percentages and frequency counts for demographic information about the respondents, while research questions were tested using Multiple Regression. Study recommends that women be integrated in all levels of governance and decision-making to enable them to participate in peace building programmes in the Niger Delta region. In addition, post-conflict trauma healings relating to women combatants can be handled by women as the women would also be the focus of rehabilitation. Women support groups and local initiates be inculcated in subsequent peace processes not only for the Niger Delta region but in all peace processes in Nigeria.