Abstract

Background: The constant ethno-religious and communal tensions in Nigeria have continued to jeopardize societal stability and communal integrity but the role played in peace mediation by women collective actions of faiths in the grassroots has not been well examined in the scholarly literature. In most conflict-driven societies, religious networks are informally structured women in churches, mosques, and faith-based groups and organise a coalition of religious values, social capital, and interpersonal trust to carry out dialogue, reconciliation, and conflict prevention. The value of such networks in enhancing locally based peacebuilding mechanisms is thus significant to know their roles and effectiveness.

Method: The research design embraced in the study was a qualitative research design that aimed at examining how networks by women of God in grassroots mediation work in conflict stricken communities in Nigeria. The data were produced with the help of the in-depth interviews, observations of the participants, and analysis of the documents with members of the women-based faith-based groups, community leaders, and peace practitioners. The analysis was themed and examined the ways in which women intervene in local conflicts and can use strategy of community engagement and religious motivations through relational networks to initiate reconciliation process.

Results: Results show that religious networks by women have various functions in grassroots peace mediation. They serve as reliable brokers, mobilisers of the communities and mediators in split communities. These networks aid in de-escalating tensions, promoting reconciliation, and promoting social cohesion through religious meetings, social outreach actions, and informal communication lines. Nevertheless, their performance is challenged by the ingrained patriarchal standards restricting the involvement of the women in the institutional decision-making system, insecurity, financial constraints and insufficient institutional facilitation. Overall, in spite of these limitations, the investigation demonstrates that women religious networks could play a great role in local resilience, prevention of conflicts, and peacebuilding, in case they are well supported.