NCWS Mobilises 3,000 Women for Peace, Democracy, Inclusive Governance Ahead of 2027 Elections

The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s leadership, democratic participation and peacebuilding, urging greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National President of NCWS, Edna D.D. Azura, made the call at the maiden Nigerian Women Peace, Democracy Summit and Awards 2026, held on Friday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The summit, which attracted more than 3,000 women leaders, policymakers, diplomats, development partners, civil society representatives and other stakeholders, was organised under the theme, “Women as Catalysts for Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Governance.

Azura described the gathering as a strategic platform for repositioning Nigerian women as active contributors to democratic governance and national development.

She stressed that women must move beyond being viewed merely as beneficiaries of democracy to becoming active participants in leadership, policy formulation and decision-making.

According to her, the summit provided an opportunity for women from different political, ethnic, religious and generational backgrounds to build consensus on issues affecting national unity, peace, democracy and inclusive development.

She noted that the need to strengthen women’s participation in governance had become more urgent as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle in 2027.

The summit also featured the unveiling of the prototype of the proposed NCWS Multi-Purpose Legacy Complex, an initiative aimed at providing permanent institutional infrastructure for the organisation and strengthening its capacity to deliver on its mandate.

In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, underscored the critical role of women in peacebuilding, national security and democratic governance.

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to promoting women’s empowerment, protecting vulnerable groups and expanding opportunities for women to participate in leadership and governance.

She maintained that sustainable peace and national development could only be achieved when women were adequately represented and actively involved in decisions affecting their families, communities and the country.

Another major feature of the gathering was the Nigeria Women for Peace and Democracy Awards, which recognised individuals, institutions, development partners and outstanding women for their contributions to peacebuilding, democratic values, humanitarian services and the advancement of women.

The NCWS described the maiden summit as a significant milestone in its efforts to amplify women’s voices, strengthen collaboration across sectors and promote a more inclusive democratic culture.

The Council called on government institutions, political parties, development partners, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to demonstrate greater commitment to women’s participation in governance and decision-making.

It also reaffirmed its resolve to remain a leading national platform for women’s advocacy, empowerment, peacebuilding and sustainable development.

The Council expressed optimism that stronger partnerships, purposeful leadership and collective action would enable Nigerian women to play a more decisive role in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation.