Activist for Women and Children Affairs, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, has raised concerns that women and children impacted by violence and insurgency in Nigeria are largely overlooked, with a significant lack of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for their recovery, safety, and reintegration.
During an appearance on ARISE News on Sunday, Bakare-Yusuf expressed criticism towards the Nigerian state for not prioritising women, girls, and children in conflict response efforts, despite them being the demographics most affected.
"We must honestly admit that Nigeria is particularly harsh towards vulnerable children. Acknowledging the problem is the crucial first step towards finding a solution," she asserted.
She conveyed her gratitude to ARISE News for bringing attention to survivors' plights, describing it as a neglected facet of the nation's security challenges.
"Your focus is incredibly important. When I say thank you, it's a genuine expression because this is an area that has been ignored and largely unspoken about," she remarked.
Bakare-Yusuf pointed out that while national discourse frequently centres on attacks and casualties, there is minimal discussion about the unique ways conflict affects women and children.
"What we haven't heard is anyone addressing how this specifically impacts women, girls, and children. Fundamentally, they are often the ones disproportionately affected," she stated.
Recalling the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, she noted that global attention did not result in enduring solutions.
"What was missing was a coordinated and sustained strategy," she commented.
She emphasised that survivors of violence are frequently reduced to mere statistics, with insufficient regard for their psychological well-being and healing processes.
"No one is examining the violence, the psychosocial and psychological aspects, the trauma, and the necessary therapy," she said, adding, "We must view them as survivors, not just as victims."
Bakare-Yusuf brought attention to the past contributions of mental health experts like Dr. Fatima Akilu, who dedicated significant efforts to assisting women affected by conflict.
"You had individuals like Dr. Fatima Akilu, who specialised in therapy, developing therapeutic workshops, community-based programmes, and treatment for these survivors," she explained, noting that "she engaged with approximately 30,000 women in healing therapy, covering psychosocial, psychological, and related support."
She voiced disappointment with the current leadership of institutions tasked with women's and children's affairs, questioning their public presence and active engagement.
"Where is the current Minister of Women’s Affairs, Dr. Imaan Ibrahim? Incidentally, I had to look up her name this morning. That's how little she is in the public eye," she observed.
Bakare-Yusuf also queried the absence of collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, stressing that governmental responsibility extends beyond dispensing justice.
"Governments are fundamentally responsible for ensuring not only justice for these women but also providing psychosocial therapy, restoration, healing, and support," she affirmed.
Regarding children, she noted that Nigeria lacks clear support frameworks for minors involved in or subjected to violence and exploitation.
"Not that I am aware of, genuinely. Children are frequently forgotten," she stated.
She issued a warning that extremist groups actively recruit children, often exploiting their vulnerability due to hunger.
"Boko Haram is actively engaging in and kidnapping children, turning them into combatants," she reported, adding that children are also victims of trafficking and forced begging. "No one is looking at the face of that child and asking, how did you end up here?"
Bakare-Yusuf refuted the notion that government shortcomings are due to being overwhelmed, asserting that the very purpose of institutions is to address such crises.
"Government is not merely a single entity. Government comprises institutions," she declared.
She further attributed the worsening conditions for women and children to the breakdown of local government systems.
"It is incredibly significant," she stated regarding the failure of local governance. "One of the key elements in any healing strategy involves community-based initiatives, and that falls under local government."
She questioned the accountability of local government officials, asking, "Why are we not holding these local government chairmen accountable?"
According to her, the destruction of essential infrastructure has particularly severe consequences for women and children.
"When schools, hospitals, and markets are destroyed, women are primarily affected. And when women are affected, children are subsequently impacted," she explained.
Turning her attention to the crisis in Kwara State, Bakare-Yusuf urged authorities to implement immediate measures for trauma management and rehabilitation.
"If the government can still find contact details for individuals like Dr. Fatima Akilu, they should reach out, appeal to her, and ask her to assist in developing a strategy for healing and reparations," she advised.
She called upon state governors to collaborate with commissioners for health, women's affairs commissions, psychologists, and trauma specialists, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated action.
"Identify the experts, the psychologists, the trauma specialists within your state and engage them in this work," she urged.
Bakare-Yusuf also cautioned against an excessive reliance on military presence in civilian areas, advocating for policing that maintains closer ties with communities.
"Deploying more female police officers is essential, as the police are intended to be the security force closest to the people, not the military," she asserted.
She warned that continued displacement into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps without adequate long-term planning risks exacerbating insecurity.
"By continuously relocating people to IDP camps, you are effectively creating another breeding ground for terrorism," she cautioned.
Bakare-Yusuf concluded by advocating for a standardised, proactive response framework that can be applied across all states.
"By now, there should be an easily implementable strategy: 'This is what we do immediately,'" she stated.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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