UK backs implementation of Benue Women, Peace and Security Action Plan

UK backs implementation of Benue Women, Peace and Security Action Plan

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of Benue’s Second State Action Plan (SAP 2) on Women, Peace and Security to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and security processes.

Ms Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation and Development Director at the British High Commission in Nigeria, gave the assurance during the launch of the action plan in Makurdi.

Rowe congratulated the Benue Government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on the development of the plan.

The head of cooperation described the plan as the outcome of collective efforts by government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and development partners.

She said the UK had supported the process since 2024 through its Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, in partnership with Elohim Development Foundation.

According to her, the action plan translates Nigeria’s commitments to the Women, Peace and Security agenda into practical interventions at state and community levels.

She said women were often among the worst affected by conflicts, suffering displacement, loss of loved ones and disruption of livelihoods, while also bearing the responsibility of keeping families together.

“Women often carry the heaviest burden. They are displaced from their farms, they lose loved ones, and they hold families together in camps,” she said.

Rowe, however, stressed that women should not be regarded only as victims of conflict but also as critical partners in building sustainable peace.

She said evidence showed that peace agreements and initiatives were stronger and more sustainable when women participated meaningfully in decision-making.

The development director said the SPRiNG programme had worked with the Benue Government and communities in Gwer, Gwer West and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas since December 2024.

She said the programme had supported the adoption of nine Local Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security and trained 112 women in peacebuilding.

According to her, 60 women in Ukum, Guma and Katsina-Ala had translated the training into three local government advocacy plans to strengthen women’s participation in peace and security processes.

Rowe added that networks of women peace advocates were expanding, while community peace committees were being strengthened to resolve disputes peacefully.

She said traditional rulers had also received mediation skills to improve conflict resolution at the community level.

The UK official said women and young people had acquired skills in agro-processing and poultry production, adding that their participation in dialogue was helping to restore economic activities in conflict-affected communities.

She further disclosed that 26 listening centres had been established to provide trauma healing and counselling for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

She said the programme was also supporting community policing structures and committees in Guma, Agatu and Katsina-Ala to build trust between communities and security agencies.

Rowe identified adequate funding, meaningful inclusion and early warning mechanisms as critical factors for the successful implementation of the action plan.

She said women’s participation should go beyond physical attendance at meetings to include influence over decisions on peace, security, land management and budgetary allocations.

“Plans can only change when they are funded,” she said, welcoming the agreement in principle by the 23 local government chairmen to make budgetary provisions for Women, Peace and Security activities in 2027.

She urged the state and local governments to release the necessary funds and ensure transparent reporting on implementation.

On the 2027 general elections, Rowe said the UK would not take sides but would continue engaging political actors to promote peaceful and inclusive political participation.

She called on political parties to ensure fair candidate selection processes and remove barriers preventing women from contesting elective positions.

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She also urged political leaders to discourage divisive religious and ethnic rhetoric and ensure that women candidates and voters participated freely without intimidation, online abuse or violence.

“The real work begins now,” Rowe said, expressing hope that the first review of the action plan would demonstrate tangible progress in women’s influence over decisions affecting peace and security.

Also speaking, Ms Evelyn Katono, Head of Field Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said sustainable peace could not be achieved without the meaningful participation of women in decision-making at all levels.

Katono said women across Benue and Nigeria continued to play critical roles in conflict prevention, social cohesion, community resilience and recovery.

She reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the action plan through capacity building for community structures, promoting dialogue and ensuring women’s inclusion in peace committees.

She said the agency would also support early warning and response mechanisms in partnership with the state government.

In his remarks, Mr Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, said the state government’s approach to addressing insecurity had increasingly embraced dialogue and community-based peacebuilding.

Har said his experience working with peacebuilding organisations had changed his initial belief that security challenges could be addressed mainly through kinetic operations.

He commended organisations, including Elohim Development Foundation, Peace Commission, Go Green and Lawyers Alert, for their contributions to peacebuilding in the state.

He said women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities suffered disproportionately during conflicts, stressing the need for sustained awareness creation and dialogue to prevent violence.

Har called for more platforms to promote peace education and storytelling, saying continuous engagement was necessary to change attitudes and encourage peaceful coexistence.