Women mediators in Borno State have expressed concerns over the stigma faced by children returning from Boko Haram captivity, particularly those born during the conflict. They made this appeal in Maiduguri during the flag-off of the She Builds Peace Campaign 2026, organized by the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development to mark the International Day of Peace. The women emphasized that these children are innocent victims and should not be blamed for the circumstances of their birth.
Agnes Bashir Gadzama, a member of the Women Mediators in Borno, urged women and mothers to teach their children to accept the returnees, stressing that their inclusion in the reintegration process would help promote peace in the state. She also appealed to women to avoid hate speech that could escalate tensions and create misunderstandings between returnees and members of host communities.
Ya Kime Gado, another member of the Women Mediators, called for greater community support for returnees, particularly women coming out of Sambisa Forest. She appealed to landlords to reduce house rents by 50 percent for returning women, saying such support could encourage those still in the bush to surrender and make their reintegration into communities easier.
Comrade Hajja Suleiman, leader of the Jire Dole Network of victims' mothers and wives, emphasized that successful reintegration must also address the question of justice. She recalled her experience of being beaten by soldiers during a peaceful demonstration after her son was arrested, and called on the government, military, and justice system to investigate cases of people who have remained in detention since the period of indiscriminate arrests during the peak of Boko Haram attacks between 2011 and 2015.
Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, Executive Director of the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, said the organization's engagements with women's networks had shown that peace agreements were more sustainable when women participated actively in their negotiation and implementation. She urged the Borno State Government, religious and traditional leaders to involve more women in peacebuilding.
Dr Mohammed Abdullahi, a consultant to the Foundation, said the She Builds Peace 2026 campaign was anchored on the question, "Why Invest in Peace?" He emphasized that peacebuilding required the contributions of women, community mediators, religious and traditional leaders, survivors, civil society groups, families, journalists, and other community actors.
The women mediators and stakeholders are advocating for a more inclusive approach to peacebuilding in Borno State, one that addresses the root causes of the Boko Haram insurgency and provides support to victims of the conflict. They believe that by working together, they can promote peace and encourage those yet to surrender to lay down their arms.
Key points
- Women mediators in Borno State are calling for communities to accept and support the reintegration of children returning from Boko Haram captivity.
- The stigma faced by these children is a major concern, with many being blamed for the circumstances of their birth.
- Successful reintegration requires a more inclusive approach to peacebuilding, one that addresses the root causes of the insurgency and provides support to victims of the conflict.
