
Nigeria’s religious makeup is split approximately fifty-fifty between Christians and Muslims, although there are also followers of African traditional religions. Various regions are plagued by insecurity, ethnoreligious conflict and political instability. Conflicts in Nigeria are increasingly linked with religious and social tensions and sometimes include explicit restrictions on Freedom of Religion and Belief, while other conflicts are not religious but often play out along religious lines.
Especially in Plateau and Kaduna State, there is a religious-demographic divide between Christians and Muslims. In both states, Christians and Muslims dwell in almost equal numbers, but live in separate settlements. Interfaith marriages and conversion to another religion is frowned upon, and both states have a long history of communal (violent) conflict.
The role of women religious leaders and actors is crucial to promote Freedom of Religion and Belief and interfaith harmony and to reduce violent (extremist) tensions and conflicts in communities. By focusing on women’s perspectives and experiences, the intersectionality of gender, religion and peace and security can be addressed.
Mensen met een Missie works together with three local partners in Nigeria: Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM), Women Interfaith Council (WIC) and Development Initiative West Africa (DIWA). The partners are active in Plateau and Kaduna State.
Key interventions are related to the promotion of FoRB via capacity building, the organisation of interreligious dialogues, and the implementation of locally-led participatory grantmaking. Other activities are focussing on offline and online awareness raising activities to prevent the spread of harmful narratives and hate speech, the organisation of lobby meetings with State and security actors involved in the monitoring of human rights, and the inclusion of women religious leaders and actors in leadership and decision making spaces.
A good example is the development of media content on FoRB and interfaith harmony to foster mutual understanding, encouraging dialogue, and producing impactful media content. The media materials were recorded in the studio and the content is being disseminated to relevant stakeholders, including community leaders, religious institutions, and media outlets (radio stations), for wider distribution. The initiative strengthens interfaith collaboration and equips communities with tools to advocate for peaceful coexistence and respect for religious diversity.
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