Joy Ada Onyesoh, a peace activist is the International Vice President, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), and Executive Director, Women for Skill Acquisition Development and Leadership Organization WOSADLO. In this chat with ENE OSANG, the gender and development consultant who is committed to the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR1325) in Nigeria, stresses the need for women involvement in peace processes.
What inspired you into establishing the Nigeria section of WILPF?
I saw an opportunity for having a platform that is holistic in addressing the concerns of Nigerian women and ensuring that we have a voice at the international arena.
Can one call you a gender activist?
I prefer to be called a peace activist. Peace is a broad framework that encompasses gender activism amongst others.
You facilitated the first international workshop on UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria in 2009 how has this benefited Nigeria especially women?
Yes I facilitated the first international workshop on UNSCR1325; we however have come a long way before and after 2009. It has been a combined effort from sisters working from different perspectives but with a common goal. Nigeria women have definitely benefited from the process of implementing UNSCR 1325, we have an action plan on UNSCR 1325 launched on the 27th of August 2013, we have 8 translations that are currently being used by various originations to run trainings at the community level and we have witnessed an increase in the awareness level of women’s role in conflict prevention and peace building. So this extent, I would say that we have benefitted from the process.
Has the UNSCR 1325 been fully implemented in Nigeria?
UNSCR 1325 is not fully implemented in Nigeria but I must point out quickly that there is no country that has fully implemented UNSCR 1325. The contexts and requirements of implementation vary, depending on the country but the principle basically is the same across board. The factors that inhibit the full implementation of UNSCR 1325 are the same factors that inhibit gender equality such as patriarchal society, lack of political will, inadequate mechanism for measuring and evaluating progress, lack of earmarked budget, low capacity etc
The tackling of these issues are not isolated but built into a multipronged, comprehensive and systemic approach that would address issues of financing, capacity building, creating and sustaining an enabling environment for women’s substantive participation in different spheres of public life, building political will etc.
Would you say women have Peace and Freedom in Nigeria?
Peace and freedom are not a state of being but a process, so I would that in Nigeria we are in the process of peace and freedom. We are gradually seeing an increase in women’s participation in formal spaces. We have witnessed passage of landmark laws such as the Violence against Persons Prohibition Bill and policies such as National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security that actively supports and promotes women’s substantive participation in diverse spheres of development.
When you say freedom for women, what exactly do you mean?
Freedom for women entails freedom from all types of discrimination based on sex or gender constructs, freedom to participate in economic, political and social activities, recognition of women’s rights as human rights, freedom of choice and other empowering activities.
Why do you think women should be involved in peace processes?
Most women get involved in peace processes consciously or unconsciously. The involvement of women in peace processes draws from their traditional roles as caregivers, value moulders, bridge builders and wives. Aside the fact that women bear the brunt of the violence during conflict, they are invaluable actors of transformative change. Their traditional identities as women, implies that they have certain influence on the society and as such use the opportunities presented by these identities to forge and build peace.
What role can women play in peace process in Nigeria?
Peace processes are needed not just in time of conflicts and violence but as preventive mechanisms focused on maintaining and promoting social harmony amongst others. Women should therefore play the role of valuemoulders, bridge builders, decision makers and positive models of emulation.
Terrorism has persisted amidst various peace conferences held; do you think spoken words can reclaim peace to Nigeria?
Spoken words are very important in peace process as they can ignite or diffuse situations, however it goes beyond words. Strategic actions are very important and the inclusion of women at all levels is critical building peace. Women play a very important role in peace building at community and national level.
You are most concerned with women issues, is it because you are a woman?
Naturally, my interest in women issues builds on the fact that I am a woman. Beyond that, it is my passion and mission to touch as many lives as possible by participating actively in the creating of an enabling environment for women to make empowering choices.
Some Nigerians see gender as synonymous to woman, is that correct?
Gender is definitely not synonymous with woman, rather it is the social construct given to the state of being male, female or intersex. This means that that gender is context based; having a range of characteristics that may include sex based social structures such as gender roles.
What would you say is the role of women in nation building?
Nation building is the process of constructing or structuring a national identity and this involves promoting social harmony and economic growth. Women therefore have a vital role to play in nation building, leveraging on the various identities they have such as value moulders, bridge builders, decision makers, entrepreneur amongst others. Women have diverse skills that can be harnessed towards building and sustaining economic, social and political development in the nation. Women bring a different perspective to nation building that complements that of men, making them invaluable actors in nation building.
What do you do basically as the International Vice President Nigerian WILPF section, including being an Executive Director WOSADLO and on the board of other women focused organizations in Nigeria?
My duties are multidimensional, in Nigeria, I design, develop and coordinate programs that are context based and focused on our areas of intervention, facilitate trainings, explore opportunities of partnership and networking, coordinate the day to day running of the Nigeria office. Internationally, I oversee the activities of WILPF sections in Africa and act as a liaison between the African sections and the International executive committee. I am part of the international team that sees to the smooth running of the organization. Advocacy and lobbying are also a critical part of my duties as the International Vice President and Executive director of WILPF and WOSADLO.
How many women has the WIPLF catered for so far in Nigeria?
As of November 2015, WILPF has trained 7,250 women cutting across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Grassroots women usually don’t benefit from women empowerment programmes as much as they should in Nigeria, does your NGO include grassroots women in its activities?
I disagree with your views on grass roots community women participation. There are several programs targeted especially for grassroots women, we have lots of community based organizations working closely with the women. There is an awareness that over 70% of women live in the rural areas, thus requiring programs of diverse focus. Yes we definitely include grassroots women in our activities and they are very important partners in the work we do. We have over the last eight years carried out interventions in over 200 grass root communities in collaboration with our partners. I acknowledge that there is still a lot to be done at the grassroots level.
As someone who has travelled far and wide, how would you compare Nigerian women to women elsewhere?
I don’t like comparing Nigerian women with women elsewhere because each country has their specific context. These contexts are very complex, and defy simple binary constructions of achievement or status. For instance, we may look at the number or percentage of women occupying formal leadership positions as one of the indicators for a comparative analysis but in my opinion it is not indicative enough, these women may not have the political power associated with the office. Nigerian women are very resilient, I am proud to be a Nigerian woman. Yes, we have our challenges, yes we have some restrictive spaces, yes there is still a lot to be done but we are gradually expanding the frontiers and dismantling the barriers.
Would you say women are well involved in the polity?
Most women are more involved at the informal level of leadership than in mainstream politics; this is in part to the stigma, perceived violence, discrimination, financial implication of involvement. To break through all these and more barriers require concerted and sustained efforts by all, strategically lobbying, advocating, building capacity and partnerships. We cannot afford to neglect the partnership of men in moving this agenda forward as they play an important role in the process.
From your years of experience working with women from diverse cultural and philosophical background what would you say women crave for?
Women are not a homogenous group; we have subgroups of women with different cravings. There may be basic needs for most women, but it is always more practical and effective to research the needs of the different subgroups of women. We have different strokes for different folks but the unifying factor is the recognition of women’s rights as human rights and these are inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is entitled to simply by being human and it is gender blind.
Some Nigerians have blamed increasing immoral behaviors in the society today on women, following their vigorous chase of careers what’s your take on this?
Historically women have played great role in the economic, social and political activities in Nigeria. We had the Aba women’s riot in 1929 and the Abeokuta’s women riot in 1946, when market women resisted the taxes imposed by the then colonial masters. We had great women politician like Fumilayo Ransome Kuti.
Therefore by implication, we had a strong movement of financial and political independent women, working outside the home, creating a career path and supporting the family. Women are multitasking, they have careers, and they are home keepers, caregivers, nurturers, wives and so much more. It goes beyond a simple analogy that women have left the homes because in reality women have not left the homes but are solidly holding the turf of the home front while multitasking as they have always done. The problem the society is facing is very complex attributable to diverse factors.
It is true that most NGO’s in Nigeria are established for financial benefits?
I am of the opinion that there is a great misconception of NGOS in Nigeria probably because of the activities of a few. Non Governmental organizations have bridged the social infrastructure and governance gap between the government and the people of Nigeria. What most people don’t realize is that most of those working in Nongovernmental organizations, work tirelessly to impact on peoples lives. It is a social service career path that requires passion for sustained engagement and that is why most civil organizations actors are very committed to their cause. Yes there may be some unreliable organizations but the committed ones, far outnumber these few.
Did you study peace or gender related courses in school, what is your educational background?
My first degree was in Chemistry, then I went for further studies, got a post graduate diploma in Business Management, Masters of Science in Environmental Management, Masters of Science in Development Studies, currently studying for a Doctoral Degree in Transformative studies and LLB in Law. I had a two weeks and six weeks training at the Women’s Human Rights Institute of the University of Toronto Canada aside several periodic trainings on women, peace and security. So yes I did study gender related courses in school at different levels and from different perspectives.
You are well read, did you face any challenges going to school as a female in Nigeria?
The family is the first point of a child’s socialization process or journey and so I grew up within a very gender responsive family in an urban environment. There were no distinctions between the girl child and the boy child and so I was determined to achieve academic success and resolute in seeing no barriers.
How was growing up like for you, do you have any regrets?
Growing up was a very pleasant journey and I sometimes look back with nostalgia. I am who I am today because of my background and remain indebted to my parents for instilling the need to be focused and always positively motivated.
What are your expectations from this government especially as it concerns women?
I expect a sustained engagement process with women at all levels, inclusion of women in formal peace processes, supporting substantive participation of women in political process and implementation of gender sensitive laws and policies.
What would you say you have achieved in life?
I have gone through the journey of self discovery and arrived at a place of deep consciousness of being true to myself .I have realized the importance of family and friends in my growth process and the need to impact on lives. I have achieved growth in my knowledge base cutting across diverse fields, understanding the importance of an open mind and the strength of being a woman.
Where do you vision yourself in the nearest future?
I see myself being a leadership coach and a motivational speaker.
What would be your advice for Nigerians especially women?
My advice for Nigerians is “Give Peace a Chance, conflicts have human cost, lets all joins hands to build sustainable peace.” My advice to women is be inspired to move outside your comfort zone to experience your growth and never underestimate the support of a sister.