Women’s Participation in Peace Processes: Evidence from Post-Conflict Communities in Adamawa State

This study examines the extent and impact of women's participation in peace processes within post-conflict communities in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, a region significantly affected by insurgency and inter-communal violence over the past decade. Despite global evidence supporting women's meaningful inclusion in peace negotiations, their roles in Nigerian subnational peace frameworks remain marginalised and under-documented. The study employs a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 130 female respondents selected from internally displaced persons camps and returnee communities across Yola North and Girei local government areas. Key informant interviews were also conducted with women peace advocates, community leaders, and representatives of international development organisations. The theoretical basis for the study draws from feminist peace theory and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Findings reveal that women in Adamawa State communities play critical though largely informal peace-building roles, including trauma counselling, inter-household mediation, and market-based reconciliation efforts. However, their exclusion from formal community dialogue platforms and government-sponsored peace committees significantly limits their overall impact. The study concludes that gendered exclusion in formal peace architecture perpetuates structural gaps in conflict recovery programming. It recommends mandatory female representation in all government-sponsored peace committees, targeted capacity building for women peace advocates, and greater funding for women-led community reconciliation initiatives in Adamawa State. Keywords: women, peace processes, Adamawa State, post-conflict, inclusion.