LocationsWomen at the Center of Development: How Women’s Groups Are Contributing to Post-Conflict Recovery
May 7, 2025
Women’s Subgroup in Ngala
Women are powerful, they are the backbone of the community. For a community to succeed, women must be part of the process," says Fanta, the head of the women’s subgroup in Gwoza, when asked about the role women play in community development and growth.
Across Northeast Nigeria, women are stepping into leadership roles through the Women’s Subgroup under the Community Stabilization Committee(CSC), a structure established by the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) programme. These subgroups are designed to empower women in conflict-affected communities to become decision-makers and active agents of change in their communities.
Since its inception in 2019, one of RSF’s core objectives has been to amplify women's voices and ensure they have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions affecting their lives and communities. This is a significant shift from past practices where women's contributions were often overlooked.
In Gwoza, the impact of the women’s subgroup has been particularly remarkable. Under Fanta’s leadership, the group has become a platform for empowerment, mutual support, and community engagement.
Under Fanta’s leadership, the group has become a platform for empowerment, mutual support, and community engagement.
"This group has shown that when you give women a platform, they don't just speak for themselves, they speak for the entire community and work tirelessly to build a better future for all," says Fanta. "Our strength comes not just from what we can do individually, but what we can achieve when we stand together."
Through this group, Gwoza women are sensitized on the importance of child education, equipping them with the knowledge to ensure their children, especially girls, attend school. Health education is also a core part of their mission, with regular awareness sessions on prenatal and postnatal care for mothers.
The group’s impact goes beyond individual empowerment, it has contributed to tangible improvements in the community. For example, the women organized and advocated for monthly sanitation exercises, which are now being implemented on a specific date monthly. They are also actively advising community leaders on strategies for women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.
In Ngala, Falmata leads another women’s subgroup that focuses on education, human rights, and community reconciliation.
Through their tireless efforts, the women educate others on the importance of child development, peaceful coexistence, and staying productive. They champion women's rights, standing firmly against domestic abuse and gender based violence (GBV). They also provide guidance on where to seek help, and stand together to support survivors. The group also ensures that no one is left behind by reaching out to persons with disabilities, encouraging them to participate in community life, and challenging harmful stereotypes. These women go door-to-door, offering support to the isolated or distressed, mediating conflicts, and promoting peace across religious and ethnic lines.
“We are the voice for women who cannot speak, the hands for those who need support, and the bridge that brings our community together,” Falmata says. “This group has changed how women see themselves, and how the community sees us too.”
Falmata
In Gulak, the women’s subgroup under the Community Stabilisation Committee (CSC) is leading the way in community advocacy and crisis response. According to Hadiza, who is an active member of the group the women take on challenges ranging from social issues to safety and security.
They actively engage in community events, like weddings, naming ceremonies, and school visits, using these gatherings to raise awareness about the CSC and its role, especially in supporting women facing abuse of any kind. They offer a safe space for women and youth in distress, resolve conflicts, and escalate unresolved cases to appropriate authorities, including the police, courts, or district head offices. Their advocacy contributed to the push for a functional police station and has helped reduce rape, drug abuse, and theft in the area.
Hadiza
“We are not just here to talk, we act,” says Hadiza. “When a woman is in trouble, we stand by her. When there’s a problem in the community, we don’t wait, we find solutions. That’s the power of women standing together.”
Hadiza also confirmed that since the subgroup was formed, Gulak has witnessed a visible drop in crime, as a result of the creation of stronger networks of care and accountability.
The impact of the women subgroup especially in conflict-affected communities like Gwoza, Ngala and Gulak has been remarkable. By addressing multiple dimensions of community welfare, from economic stability to education, health, and environment, they have created a holistic approach to community development. Through initiatives like this, women across Northeast Nigeria are no longer sitting on the sidelines of recovery, they are at the very center of it, buliding communities that are safer, and more inclusive.
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