United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has called for increased funding and protection for Nigerian women working to prevent conflicts and rebuild communities.

Mohammed made the call at the maiden Nigeria Women Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Governance Summit and Awards, organised by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in Abuja.

“Women are mediating local disputes, supporting families affected by insecurity, and rebuilding livelihoods,

“Yet this work too often receives little funding, protection, or influence over decisions, and we have to change that,”she said.

She urged governments and development partners to support women-led organisations and ensure survivors of violence have access to justice and care.

“It means funding women’s organisations and ensuring survivors of violence can access justice and care,” Mohammed said.

She also warned that the growing demand for critical minerals presented opportunities and risks, urging that the benefits reach communities, particularly women and young people.

“Growing demand for critical minerals brings new opportunities, but also risks that we must address, so that this wealth benefits our communities, especially our women and youth,” she said.

NCWS National President, Princess Edna Azura, said women continued to face exclusion from political processes, including party formations and primaries, limiting their access to leadership positions.

She called for greater inclusion of women in peacebuilding, mediation, community security and reconciliation, urging political leaders to involve them in decisions affecting their communities.

“We are not asking for positions as favour, we are asking for fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity,” Azura said.

She also urged women to organise, support one another and strengthen their participation in governance rather than allow divisions to weaken their collective voice.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim, said the Federal Government recognised women as important partners in preventing conflicts and sustaining peace.

Represented by Princess Jummai Idonije, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, she said women must be involved in peace and security processes.

She, however, said they must be “guided by the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security”.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said women should not only be protected during conflicts but also participate in shaping and sustaining peace.

“True political voice and peace building require economic independence,” she said.

She stressed the importance of empowering women economically, adding that women should have opportunities to participate in governance and influence decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sen. Philip Aduda also called for greater support for women and girls, emphasising the need to empower them across the country.

He pledged to support initiatives that advance their welfare and opportunities.

“I will work for the progress of the girl child, of the women of not only the FCT, but of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Aduda said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit brought together government officials, women leaders and other stakeholders to discuss women’s roles in peacebuilding, democracy and inclusive governance.(NAN)

Edited by Folasade Akpan