Author(s) :

ABDUSSALAM A. Aisha, PhD, OLALEKAN Taofeeq Babajide, ONIPE Joy.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Women and youth are integral stakeholders in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. While ECOWAS has adopted critical frameworks on women peace and security and youth policy in the sub region, there still exist gaps in their inclusion in vital decision-making positions on security governance. The paper therefore aimed to ascertain the level of women and youth involvement in ECOWAS peace and security architecture. It also seeks to identify the challenges affecting their inclusion and proffer recommendations to strengthen their participation in ECOWAS peace and security architecture for regional stability. Anchored on the human security theory which suggest that security should be people-cantered, and as such women and youth who are often the most affected by conflict, should be involved in ECOWAS peace and security architecture, data was sourced from secondary sources and the method utilised in collection was the documentary review and digital archives of ECOWAS and other relevant organizations. Analysis was conducted by grouping the data into relevant themes and examined using content analysis. Findings reveal that women and youth are included in ECOWAS peace and security architecture, often occupying advisory and supportive roles but not very visible in critical strategic decision-making roles. The challenges are more structural and political than institutional. It was also revealed that the ECOWAS has put in place strategies to enhance the capacity of women and youth in the subregion. Particularly, the gender development center of the commission has provided critical support to the integration of gender inclusive polices and political and social stability within the ECOWAS space. The study affirms that structural barriers are deeply rooted in patriarchal and cultural biases and such, recommends further strengthening of existing policies to with clearer enforcement and accountability mechanisms. Keywords: Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention, ECOWAS Peace and Security framework, Regional Stability, Security Architecture.

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