Gender Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) - WANEP-Nigeria

   
  • Supporting Nigeria’s National Action Plans (NAPs)
  • Empowering Gender Focal Persons
  • Localization of UNSCR 1325
  • Media and Advocacy for WPS
  • Youth Empowerment
  • Partnerships and Global Impact
  • Mediation, Interest-Based Negotiation, and Early Warning Trainings

The Gender, Women, Peace, and Security (GWPS) program of WANEP–Nigeria serves as the institutional mechanism for advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive peacebuilding across the country. The Desk is dedicated to promoting the effective implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and related resolutions, while also ensuring that gender perspectives inform all levels of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and development programming.

The GWPS Desk provides leadership in gender mainstreaming, ensuring compliance with WANEP–Nigeria’s gender policy and alignment with both national and regional frameworks, including Nigeria’s National Action Plans (NAPs) and State Action Plans (SAPs) on UNSCR 1325. Its core mandate encompasses policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity development, research, and technical support to partners, state institutions, and civil society actors working toward inclusive and sustainable peace.

WANEP–Nigeria’s GWPS interventions have led to significant progress in the institutionalization of gender-responsive peacebuilding mechanisms at the national, state, and community levels. Through sustained advocacy and multi-stakeholder partnerships, the organization has supported the domestication and implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, facilitated the development and review of multiple State Action Plans, and strengthened the capacities of over 2,000 stakeholders, including community leaders, women peacebuilders, gender focal persons, and security actors. These efforts have enhanced women’s participation in decision-making, mediation, and early warning processes while advancing protection and prevention outcomes for vulnerable populations.

The GWPS Resource Hub is a centralized platform for practitioners, policymakers, and partners seeking evidence-based tools and knowledge products to advance gender-responsive peace and security interventions. The Hub provides access to key documents such as Nigeria’s National State Action Plans and  Local Action Plans (LAPs), the VAPP Law and its localized versions, as well as directories of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), research reports, policy briefs, and multimedia learning materials. It serves as a one-stop reference point for strengthening coordination, accountability, and innovation in gender and peacebuilding practice.

Click here to access multimedia resources

Nigeria: National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security

Nigeria has developed three National Action Plans (NAPs) to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). These plans, adopted in 2013, 2017–2020, and the Third NAP (2025–2029), set out Nigeria’s national strategies for promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding, preventing gender-based violence, and ensuring the protection and recovery of women and girls affected by conflict.

Objectives and Structure of the NAPs

Each NAP is anchored on five strategic pillars, which align with global and regional WPS frameworks:

First National Action Plan (NAP I) – 2013–2016

The first NAP focused on establishing Nigeria’s initial framework for implementing UNSCR 1325. It defined five pillars as guiding priorities:

  1. Prevention
    Strengthen women’s roles in conflict resolution, promote a culture of peace, improve early warning and early response systems, conduct research and documentation, and support gender-responsive legal reforms.
  2. Participation
    Train women and girls as mediators, negotiators, and peacebuilders; promote their inclusion in all levels of peace processes and security institutions; and involve men and youth in WPS awareness.
  3. Protection
    Build resilience among women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence, promote socio-economic empowerment, and ensure access to humanitarian services in post-conflict settings.
  4. Promotion
    Conduct large-scale awareness campaigns on UNSCR 1325, 1820, and 1889; intensify advocacy against harmful traditional practices; and promote collaboration among government, civil society, and media.
  5. Prosecution
    Establish special courts to address GBV cases, foster collaboration between police and social workers in prosecution, and strengthen transitional justice mechanisms.

Second National Action Plan (NAP II) – 2017–2020

Pillar 1: Prevention and Disaster Preparedness
Focuses on preventing conflict and violence against women and girls, building resilience, and establishing systems for early warning, response, and disaster mitigation.

Pillar 2: Participation and Representation
Promotes women’s full and equal participation in decision-making, leadership, peace processes, and governance structures related to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and recovery.

Pillar 3: Protection and Prosecution
Ensures that the rights of women and girls are protected and promoted in situations of conflict and peace, and that violators are effectively prosecuted under national and international law.

Pillar 4: Crisis Management, Early Recovery and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Addresses the specific relief and recovery needs of women and girls while strengthening their capacity to act as active agents of peace and recovery.

Pillar 5: Partnerships, Coordination, and Management
Serves as a cross-cutting pillar to improve coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms across all actors and institutions engaged in the WPS agenda.

Context

Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the country has faced multiple conflict dynamics, from civil unrest and militancy to insurgency and communal violence, all of which have disproportionately affected women and girls. Incidents of sexual violence, abduction, and displacement have deepened gender inequalities and exposed the need for structured national responses.

The review of the first NAP (2013–2016) and the development of the second (2017–2020) and third (2024–2028) NAPs reflect Nigeria’s efforts to integrate lessons learned, close implementation gaps, and respond to emerging security threats. The current NAP emphasizes local ownership, inclusive governance, and stronger accountability systems, a direction reinforced by civil society and development partners.

Civil Society and Institutional Engagement

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs serves as the lead coordinating agency for NAP implementation at the national level. However, civil society organizations remain central to the success of the WPS framework in Nigeria, particularly through advocacy, monitoring, and localization of the NAPs into State Action Plans (SAPs).

WANEP-Nigeria, through its Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Unit, has been a core partner in these processes. The organization has:

  • Provided technical support and coordination for state-level consultations during NAP II and NAP III development;
  • Facilitated capacity-building sessions for gender focal persons, peacebuilders, and government actors to strengthen localized implementation;
  • Supported the localization of UNSCR 1325 through community-based action plans in several states; and
  • Played a monitoring and advocacy role in ensuring gender compliance and accountability within national peace and security programming.

WANEP-Nigeria also collaborates with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, UN Women, and the National Technical Working Group on UNSCR 1325 to ensure alignment between national and state-level frameworks.

UN Peacekeeping and Women’s Participation

As of March 2025, Nigeria contributes approximately 225 personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, including 52 women, positioning the country among the top 50 troop-contributing countries globally.
Nigeria has made measurable progress toward meeting the UN’s 2022 gender engagement targets, achieving 19% representation of women among senior police, staff, and experts, and 9% among deployed troops.

WANEP-Nigeria continues to advocate for the inclusion of women in security institutions, peace mediation processes, and peacekeeping missions as part of its national WPS programming and policy engagement.

Reporting and Accountability

To strengthen transparency and public access, the NAPs are accompanied by monitoring frameworks and accountability channels. WANEP-Nigeria contributes to data collection, progress reporting, and stakeholder validation workshops that track implementation across states.

Stakeholders and partners can access the official NAP documents and related reports through:

WANEP-Nigeria WPS Desk – Resource Repository

STATE ACTION PLANS (SAPS) ON UNSCR 1325

State Action Plans (SAPs) translate Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security into state-level priorities, costed activities, coordinating structures, and monitoring arrangements. SAPs localize UNSCR 1325 by reflecting each state’s conflict dynamics, needs, and institutional set-up; they also create entry points for budgeting, multi-stakeholder coordination, and community-level peacebuilding. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs leads NAP coordination at the national level, while civil society, including WANEP-Nigeria, plays a central role in technical support, stakeholder mobilization, capacity building, and monitoring of SAP development and implementation.

WANEP-Nigeria’s WPS Unit has supported SAP development through workshops, technical working groups, and localization exercises in multiple states. WANEP’s guidance and training materials remain a standard reference for SAP development, and the WPS Unit continues to assist states with stakeholder consultations, costing, and monitoring frameworks.


Status of SAP Development Across States

Geopolitical Zone

State

Adoption Year

Implementing/Coordinating Body

Status (as of 2025)

North Central

Plateau

2015

Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Being implemented; review under consideration

 

Kogi

2018

Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs

Active implementation; CSO coordination ongoing

 

Nasarawa

2020

Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Implementation ongoing; community localization progressing

 

Benue

2021

Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Active; localized actions in Makurdi and Gboko

 

Kwara

2022

Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs

Early-stage implementation; desk established

North East

Borno

2014

Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs

Operational but requires review post-2020

 

Adamawa

2017

Adamawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Active; local peace networks established

 

Gombe

2017

Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs

Active; localized M&E framework in place

 

Yobe

2020

Yobe State Ministry of Women Affairs

Functional; implementation through community focal points

 

Bauchi

2021

Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs

Active; coordination committee established

North West

Kaduna

2016

Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development

Fully implemented; now under review

 

Kano

2016

Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs

Active; annual WPS consultative forum ongoing

 

Katsina

2023

Katsina State Ministry of Women Affairs

Recently launched; domestication stage

South South

Rivers

2015

Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs

Operational; SAP review pending

 

Delta

2017

Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs

Operational;

 

Bayelsa

2017

Bayelsa State

 

NB : No SAPs verified in the South-West (Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo) or South-East (Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu).

LOCAL ACTION PLANS (LAPS)

In recognition of the critical role of grassroots structures in sustaining peace, several states have further decentralized implementation through Local Action Plans (LAPs) on UNSCR 1325. The LAPs operationalize WPS principles at local government and community levels, ensuring that women and marginalized groups actively participate in conflict prevention, mediation, and post-conflict recovery.

LAPs have been successfully developed in selected LGAs across Plateau, Benue, Adamawa, and Kaduna States, with ongoing efforts in Nasarawa, Delta, and Gombe. These LAPs are community-driven, context-specific, and serve as blueprints for local peace committees, security agencies, and women’s networks to collaborate in addressing emerging threats, reporting gender-based violence, and promoting inclusive decision-making.

WANEP–Nigeria has played a pivotal role in facilitating LAP processes in states like Balanga (Gombe), Katagum (Bauchi), and Maiduguri (Borno) by building the capacity of women and local policymakers to implement LAPs aligned with the NAP, through technical guidance, stakeholder coordination, and capacity strengthening of gender desks within ministries and local councils. Through these localized frameworks, the organization continues to bridge the gap between national policy commitments and community realities, ensuring that the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda remains practical, measurable, and inclusive across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION LAW (VAPP LAW)

The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law is a landmark legal framework first enacted at the federal level in 2015 to comprehensively address all forms of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and harmful traditional practices. The law provides robust protection for survivors, establishes justice and referral mechanisms, and enforces penalties for perpetrators, thereby advancing gender justice, safeguarding human rights, and reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda.

As of the most recent update, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have domesticated the VAPP Law, except Kano State, which is still in the process of legislative consideration. This widespread adoption marks a significant national milestone in harmonizing legal protections against gender-based violence and other related offenses across Nigeria.

While ownership of the VAPP Law’s domestication and enforcement is a multi-stakeholder effort, involving state assemblies, ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners, WANEP-Nigeria has played a pivotal role in advancing this process. The organization has provided technical support, advocacy, and stakeholder mobilization across multiple states, serving as a key actor in national and subnational coalitions that promote the implementation and sustainability of the law. Through its continuous sensitization campaigns, policy consultations, and coordination with state-level actors, WANEP-Nigeria contributes meaningfully to ensuring that the VAPP Law moves beyond paper into practical enforcement and survivor-centered response mechanisms.

Status of Domestication Across States

State

Legislative Status (Passed/Assented)

Year

Remarks

Primary Implementing Body

Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Passed & Assented

2015

Early adopter

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) / FCT GBV Response Unit

Abia

Passed & Assented

2020

Domesticated

Ministry of Justice, Abia State (through AG’s Office)

Akwa Ibom

Passed & Assented

2020

Domesticated

Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State

Anambra

Passed & Assented

2017

Domesticated

Ministry of Justice, Anambra State

Bauchi

Passed & Assented

2020

Domesticated

Advisory / Technical Committee for VAPP Implementation – Bauchi State

Bayelsa

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Bayelsa State

Benue

Passed & Assented

2019

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Benue State

Borno

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs or State GBV Desk – Borno

Cross River

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Cross River State

Delta

Passed & Assented

2020

Domesticated

Delta State GBV Management Committee – Ministry of Women Affairs

Ebonyi

Passed & Assented

2018

Domesticated

Ministry of Justice / Women Affairs, Ebonyi State

Edo

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Edo State

Ekiti

Passed (GBV Law)

2019

Domesticated via GBV law

Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Secretariat / Ministry of Women Affairs

Enugu

Passed & Assented

2019

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Enugu State

Gombe

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Gombe State

Imo

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Imo State

Jigawa

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Jigawa State

Kaduna

Passed & Assented

2018

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs / Gender Desk, Kaduna State

Kano

Pending

,

Yet to pass or assent

­________

Katsina

Passed & Assented

2023

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Katsina State

Kebbi

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Kebbi State

Kogi

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Kogi State

Kwara

Passed & Assented

2020

Domesticated

Kwara State GBV Response Team / Ministry of Women Affairs

Lagos

Equivalent Law (PDV)

2007

Domesticated via alternative law

Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Lagos State

Nasarawa

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Nasarawa State

Niger

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Niger State

Ogun

Passed & Assented

2018

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Ogun State

Ondo

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Ondo State

Osun

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Osun State

Oyo

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Oyo State

Plateau

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Plateau State Gender & Equal Opportunities Commission / WPS Desk

Rivers

Passed

2020/21

Domestication incomplete

Ministry of Women Affairs, Rivers State

Sokoto

Passed & Assented

2021

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Sokoto State

Taraba

Passed (Assent status unclear)

2022

Domestication incomplete

Ministry of Women Affairs, Taraba State

Yobe

Passed & Assented

2022

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Yobe State

Zamfara

Passed & Assented

2023

Domesticated

Ministry of Women Affairs, Zamfara State

SEXUAL ASSAULT REFERRAL CENTRES (SARCS)

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) provide survivor-centered medical, psychosocial, legal, and protection services for individuals affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). These centres serve as safe, confidential points of access where survivors can receive immediate care, forensic support, counseling, and structured referrals without stigma or delay.

While SARC establishment involves government agencies, development partners, health institutions, and civil society organizations, WANEP-Nigeria has contributed through advocacy, coordination, support, stakeholder engagement, and linkage to referral pathways. In several states, WANEP-Nigeria has worked alongside partners to strengthen service provision, relief, and recovery survivor access, and capacity-building for frontline responders.

Directory of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Nigeria

Zone

State

SARC Name

Location / Address

Centre Manager / Contact

Email / Hotline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH EAST

Adamawa

Hope Centre 1

ADSACA Building, State Specialist Hospital, Jimeta, Yola

Dr Usha Saxena – 08069710461

hopecenteryola@gmail.com / 07068339913

Adamawa

Hope Centre 2

General Hospital, Numan

Glory Emmanuel Masei – 08069693771

numanhopecentre@yahoo.com

Adamawa

Women Dev. One-Stop Centre

Women Development Centre, beside High Court, Yola

Adama Yusuf – 08160928282

adyusuf@unfpa.org / 08002200100

Borno

Nelewa Centre

Umar Shehu Ultra-modern Hospital, Maiduguri

Fati Mustapha – 08161838555

nelewacentre@gmail.com / 08028982947

Yobe

Shifa Centre

Women & Children Hospital, Gashua Road, Damaturu

Dr Zainab Ngubdo – 07032917966

ammihassan14@gmail.com

Yobe

Potiskum SARC

General Hospital, Potiskum

Dr Abubakar Sadik – 08034453086

Abuzaks001@gmail.com

Yobe

Nguru SARC

Federal Medical Centre, Nguru

Dr Oranuka Kingsley Rapulu – 08066991408

kingoxpli@gmail.com

Yobe

Gashua SARC

Specialist Hospital Gashua

Bukar Tijjani – 08037686520

bukartijjani0@gmail.com

Yobe

Geidam SARC

General Hospital Geidam

Dr Musa Mohammed – 08032109019

mohammedmusasabo@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH WEST

Kaduna

Salama Centre 1

Dr Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Kakuri

Nannak Ndam – 08037618661

salamasarc2017@gmail.com

Kaduna

Salama Centre 2

Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudunwada

Sidikat Adegboye Bello – 08092877682

salamacenter19@gmail.com

Kaduna

Salama Centre 3

Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria

Aishatu Ahmed – 08034095424

sarczaria03@gmail.com

Kaduna

Salama Centre 4

General Hospital Kafanchan

Grace Yohanna Abbin – 08035869981

graceyabbin@gmail.com

Kano

WARAKA Centre

Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano

Dr Nasir Garko – 08065340578

warakasarckano@gmail.com

Sokoto

Nana Khadija Centre

Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Sultan Abubakar Road

Asmau Abubakar Jibril – 08063617035

nanakhadijacentre@gmail.com

Kebbi

Mai Talle Tara SARC

Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo

Safiya Isah – 07063532324

nanakhadijacentre@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL

Benue

Benue One-Stop Centre (planned)

Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi (establishing phase)

 

 

Kogi

Kogi SARC (under setup)

Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja

 

 

Plateau

Plateau State SARC

Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos

 

 

Kwara

Ajike Care Centre

General Hospital, Ilorin

Bimpe Sulaiman – 07033033695

ogsarc21@gmail.com / 08005927272

FCT

Awyetu SARC

Bwari General Hospital, Abuja

Dr Bejide Augustine Temitope – 08035712835

tabejide@yahoo.com / 09134668737

FCT

Cece Yara Centre

Salatu Royal Estate, Wuse 2, Abuja

Doyin Shittu – 08096369181

info@ceceyara.org / 08008008001

SOUTH SOUTH

Bayelsa

HALG SARC

30 Osiri Road, Behind Ekeki Police Station, Yenagoa

Nubani Sorbari Eenee – 08068153456

snubani@heartlandalliancenigeria.org

 

Rivers

Tamar SARC

Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Port Harcourt

 

 

 

Delta

Asaba SARC

Specialist Hospital, GRA Asaba

Uzama Ifeanyi Valentine – 07030469582

validrose78@gmail.com

 

Delta

Ughelli SARC

General Hospital Ughelli

Ubiomo Davidson Eferome – 08060466430

okpunonkemrosemary@gmail.com

Delta

Warri SARC

Central Hospital Warri

Onoriode Aphia – 08063729559

onoskolos@gmail.com

Akwa Ibom

Agape Centre

Immanuel General Hospital, Eket

Anietie Ikpe – 08023009220

agapesarc@yahoo.com

Cross River

One-Stop Centre

General Hospital, Mary Slessor Ave, Calabar

Theresa Ukwayi Ungieamgba – 07034912254

crossriverstateonestopcentre@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH EAST

Enugu

Tamar SARC (Gov’t)

Family Support Programme Building, Enugu

Evelyn Ngozi Onah – 08068528819

ensgtamarsarc@yahoo.com

Enugu

WACOL Tamar SARC

9 Dr Mathias Iloh Avenue, New Haven, Enugu

Ijeoma Ezeude – 08038685819

wacol@wacolnigeria.org / 09091333000

Ebonyi

Nduru One-Stop Centre

AE-FUT Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

Cecilia Elom – 08032774628

Ebonyisarc2022@gmail.com

Anambra

Ntasi Centre

General Hospital, Enugwu-Ukwu

Amaka Okoye – 08037904471

Amakapatience21@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH WEST

Lagos

Mirabel Centre

LASUTH, Ikeja

Joy Shokoya – 07013491769

sarc@pjnigeria.org / 08155770000

Lagos

WARIF Centre

6 Turton Street, Yaba

Gloria Joacquim – 08033787838

info@warifng.org / 08092100009

Lagos

Idera Centre

Alimosho General Hospital, Igando

Moromoke Babatunde-Martins – 08035935086

iderasarc@gmail.com

Ogun

Spring Centre

Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta

Damola Lapite – 08034268616

thespringcentre@yahoo.com

Ogun

OOUTH SARC

OOUTH, Sagamu

Oluwatoyin Orelaja – 08053144574

ogsarc21@gmail.com

Ekiti

Moremi Clinic

EKSUTH Ado Ekiti

Barr. Rita Ilevbare – 08033581144

ekitisarc@gmail.com

Ondo

One-Stop Centre

State Specialist Hospital, Akure

 

          


📖 Compiled by: WANEP–Nigeria Women, Peace & Security Unit
📧 For verification or updates: wanep-nigeria.org@wanep.org

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