
By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria – September 21, 2025
In commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Peace, the National Women’s Platform on Security Sector Reform and Governance, in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, convened an impactful conference in Abuja themed “She Speaks Peace.”
The event brought together women leaders, policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and development partners to highlight the vital role of women in peacebuilding, security, and governance.

Associate Professor Plangsat Dayill, in her welcome address, underscored the importance of creating spaces where women’s voices are not only heard but also shape policy and practice in peace and security. She noted that despite Nigeria’s complex security challenges, women have remained pillars of resilience, often leading local peacebuilding initiatives at community levels.
The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Paul Andrew Gwaza, emphasized the need to strengthen women’s leadership and build their capacity to actively participate in national and community-level security architecture. He called for deliberate reforms in security institutions, inclusivity in decision-making, and the dismantling of cultural and institutional barriers that limit women’s participation.
Panel discussions featured distinguished speakers who explored topics ranging from women’s grassroots peacebuilding strategies to institutional reforms for gender-responsive security governance. Experts, activists, and practitioners shared best practices and highlighted urgent steps to institutionalize women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
In a goodwill message, a representative of the European Union (EU) reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in advancing gender equality, strengthening security sector reforms, and enhancing peacebuilding frameworks. The representative applauded the platform for creating a safe and inclusive space for women to articulate solutions for sustainable peace.

The conference concluded with a resounding call for multi-stakeholder collaboration to mainstream women’s leadership in Nigeria’s security sector reforms, stressing that the path to peace requires inclusivity, equity, and shared responsibility.
The “She Speaks Peace” initiative was celebrated as not only a commemoration of the International Day of Peace but also a bold step towards transforming Nigeria’s peace and security architecture to reflect women’s aspirations and leadership.
