On 20 September 2019, WILPF Nigeria facilitated the official launch of the Nigerian Women Mediators Collaborative Initiative (NWMCI) in Abuja, Nigeria. Building on a two-day dialogue organised by WILPF Nigeria in December 2018, the Nigerian network aims to identify, train, and support women mediators to prevent and mediate conflicts in their country and across borders, including election-related conflicts and violence.

Almost 140 participants joined the half-day launch. This included participants from the NWMCI and the Women’s Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN), as well as representatives from the Nigerian Ministry for Women and Affairs and Social Development, the Nigeria Policing Programme, ECOWAS, UN Women, the African Women Leader Network, development partners including Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and France, and other civil society. WILPF’s Women, Peace and Security Programme Director Abigail Ruane participated on behalf of WILPF International.