By Yemi Akinsuyi
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has called for stronger civil–military cooperation and enhanced community engagement to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda across the South East Region.
This call followed the recently held Civil–Military Dialogue on Women, Peace, and Security, which convened security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, faith leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, and the media to address pressing peace and security challenges affecting communities.
The dialogue emphasized the urgent need to bolster women’s participation in peace and security structures, strengthen community–security relations, and mitigate emerging threats—including the alarming proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW). Stakeholders highlighted the importance of sustained awareness campaigns, inclusive governance, institutional collaboration, and proactive legislative engagement to foster safer and more resilient communities.
The communiqué issued at the end of the engagement outlined twelve key resolutions, including intensified advocacy on WPS issues, strengthened community–security dialogue, expanded engagement with faith and traditional institutions, improved media reporting capacities, and deeper youth participation in conflict prevention and early warning systems.
FENRAD Nigeria noted, in particular, the resolutions calling for: The inclusion of more women in traditional leadership structures; Strengthened GBV reporting and response mechanisms; Enhanced intelligence sharing and community reporting to curb the spread of illicit firearms; and Legislative engagement to institutionalize WPS commitments within state-level governance frameworks.
Speaking on the outcomes of the dialogue, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing gender-sensitive peacebuilding and inclusive security policies.
He emphasized that “sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of women, active youth participation, and coordinated efforts among communities, civil authorities, and security agencies.”
FENRAD further urged government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society, and the media to take ownership of the resolutions and work collaboratively toward their rapid implementation.
The organization expressed optimism that strengthened partnerships and renewed commitments arising from the dialogue will significantly contribute to building safer, more inclusive, and more resilient communities across the South East
This is fourth in the series of the civil military Relations dialogue which FENRAD is organizing in the Southeast Region to promote peace and Security in the Region
The Activity is jointly organized by FENRAD and Virgin Heart Foundation with Support from Action Group on free civic spaces AFGCS in collaboration with SPACES FOR CHANGE and Funding from Funds for Global Human Rights
