Women’s Inclusion in Formal Peace Negotiations: Evidence from North Central Nigeria

This study generates empirical evidence on the patterns and impacts of women's inclusion in formal peace negotiations in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, focusing on state-sponsored peace dialogues in Plateau, Benue, and Nassarawa states between 2020 and 2024. Despite extensive advocacy for gender-inclusive peace processes aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, women remain systematically underrepresented in formal peace negotiation structures across Nigeria's conflict-affected zones. Employing a mixed-methods research design, quantitative data were collected from 220 peace process participants and observers, while qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 30 women peace negotiators, government officials, and conflict resolution practitioners. Propensity score matching was used to compare peace agreement durability in processes with and without meaningful female representation. The theoretical framework draws from feminist peace theory and gender-inclusive negotiation models. Findings indicate that peace agreements emerging from processes with meaningful female representation, defined as over 30 percent of formal negotiating party membership, demonstrate significantly higher implementation rates and community satisfaction scores compared to male-dominated processes. Women negotiators are found to introduce agenda items related to psychosocial recovery, livelihood restoration, and child protection that are otherwise absent from negotiation frameworks. Recommendations include mandating gender representation thresholds in all government-sponsored peace negotiation structures in North Central Nigeria, funding leadership development programs for women peace negotiators, and conducting gender audits of existing peace agreements. Keywords: women's inclusion, peace negotiations, North Central Nigeria, gender, UNSCR 1325.