Women for Women International Nigeria has marked 25 years of supporting conflict-affected women in the country, while calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector to improve the lives of women living through crisis.
The appeal was made at the organisation’s anniversary celebration in Nigeria, which reflected on a quarter-century of grassroots work and the urgent need for deeper support systems for women in conflict-affected communities.
From Survival to Recovery.
Country Director Bukola Onyishi said women affected by conflict should not only be helped to survive, but also given the chance to rebuild their lives and thrive. She noted that while violence against women is already widespread globally, the impact becomes even more severe in active conflict zones.
Her remarks highlighted the realities many women face in displaced communities, including pregnant women fleeing violence without safe shelter, girls managing menstrual hygiene in camps, and elderly women and persons with disabilities navigating displacement with little or no support.
A Mission Rooted In Crisis.
Women for Women International was founded 33 years ago by Zainab Salbi and Amjad Atallah during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its original mission was to help women affected by war move from vulnerability to self-reliance.
That mission expanded to Nigeria 25 years ago, where the organisation has since worked across conflict-affected states such as Plateau, Bauchi, and Benue. Its interventions have focused on vocational training, financial literacy, psychosocial support, and leadership development for women rebuilding their lives after crisis.
Women As Community Builders.
Chief Executive Officer Thelma Ekiyor said the organisation’s work has consistently shown that women are powerful drivers of recovery when they are given the right resources. According to her, survivors can rebuild household economies and strengthen entire communities when support is targeted and sustained.
International Board Member Rima Salah also underscored the importance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, describing it as a framework that recognises the impact of conflict on women and insists on their inclusion in peacebuilding and recovery efforts.
Shared Responsibility For Recovery.
The anniversary gathering also drew support from advocates calling for broader institutional commitment. Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, founder of WARDC, said security agencies must continue to work toward ending violent conflict, but society also has a duty to help victims regain dignity and livelihoods.
Humanitarian and actress Stella Damasus echoed that message, urging stakeholders and corporate partners not to abandon women affected by violence. She called for sustainable resources, protection, and opportunities that can support long-term recovery.
Why This Matters
The anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity. It is a reminder that conflict recovery for women requires more than sympathy; it requires systems, funding, and partnerships that can restore dignity and strengthen resilience.
As Nigeria continues to confront displacement and insecurity in several regions, the organisation’s is calling for collective action that makes women’s recovery a priority in peacemaking and development. Source Guardian News
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