Civil society leaders, development partners, and women’s rights advocates have called for urgent and coordinated efforts to protect and empower women caught in violent conflicts across Nigeria.
They warn that thousands continue to suffer from the devastating effects of insecurity and have limited access to support.
This appeal was made during Women for Women International’s 25th-anniversary celebration in Nigeria, where speakers called on governments, security agencies, development organisations, and the private sector to improve efforts to assist women in rebuilding their lives after conflict.
Delivering the keynote address, the Country Director of Women for Women International Nigeria, Bukola Onyishi, described the situation faced by women in conflict zones as a humanitarian emergency demanding sustained attention.
She pointed out that while one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence even during peacetime, women living in conflict regions endure even greater hardships.
“Imagine being pregnant while fleeing conflict. Imagine being a young girl managing your menstrual cycle in a displacement camp. Imagine being elderly or living with a disability, with nowhere to seek safety,” she said.
According to Onyishi, such realities inspired Zainab Salbi and Amjad Atalah to found Women for Women International 33 years ago during the Bosnian conflict. The organisation’s mission is to help women transition from survival to self-reliance.
She explained that the organisation expanded its work to Nigeria 25 years ago and has since empowered thousands of women affected by violence in Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, and other states through vocational training, financial literacy, psychosocial support, and leadership development.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Women for Women International, Thelma Ekiyor, said that their experience has demonstrated that investing in women produces lasting social and economic benefits.
“Our journey began with a simple but powerful belief that women are agents of change. Over the years, we have watched women rise from unimaginable hardship to rebuild not only their own lives but also transform their communities,” she said.
Rima Salah, an International Board Member, pointed out the importance of fully implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, describing it as a vital global framework for protecting women and ensuring their participation in peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.
She called on stakeholders to continue amplifying Nigerian women’s voices and sharing their stories of resilience with the international community.
The Chairman of Woodhall Capital Foundation, Vavo Hunponu-Wusu, also urged stronger partnerships to expand opportunities for women and girls, highlighting that empowering women remains one of the most effective ways to drive sustainable development.
Likewise, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, founder of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), and renowned actress Stella Damasus, appealed to Nigerians not to abandon women displaced by conflict.
They maintained that while governments and security agencies must intensify efforts to end violent conflicts, society also bears a responsibility to assist survivors in recovery through economic empowerment, education, and psychosocial support.
The event featured heartfelt testimonies from beneficiaries who shared how Women for Women International helped them rebuild their lives after losing their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones to conflict.
