Women's construction of peace in Ilaje and Ijaw communities

The social political and economic consequences of war on women are enormous looking at the stockpile of woes after the dusk of war. Women lose their husbands, children, property and sometimes are abused sexually. The psychological trauma following the dawn of war devastates most women for the rest of their lives. This study examines the concept of peace among women in Ilaje and Ijaw kingdoms. Besides, it critically examines the relationship between peace and development. In-depth interviews were conducted among two hundred (200) women in the two kingdoms. Ten (10) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted to complement the effort of the researcher. Social closure, usurpation, exclusion, prejudice and discrimination are identified as harbingers of war. This paper concludes that peace can only flourish in the atmosphere of equity, social justice, equality and economic empowerment of people. Gender and Behaviour Vol. 4(1) 2006: 721-73