Gender-Responsiveness Humanitarianism in Conflict Settings: Analyzing the Role of Non-state Actors in North-east Nigeria

Abdullahi  Alabi; Yusuf  Ibrahim Ajao; Moshood O. Salahu; Abubakar S  Yushau Alfakoro

Authors

Abdullahi Alabi Department of politics and Governance, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Kwara State University Malete, Nigeria
Yusuf Ibrahim Ajao Department of politics and Governance, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Kwara State University Malete, Nigeria
Moshood O. Salahu Department of politics and Governance, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Kwara State University Malete, Nigeria
Abubakar S Yushau Alfakoro Institute of Information and Management Studies, Kwara State Polytechnic, Nigeria

Keywords:

Gender-Responsive Humanitarianism, Non-State Actors, Northeast Nigeria, Localization, Feminist Political Economy, Boko Haram, Humanitarian Aid

Abstract

The aim of the study paper is to examine the implementation of gender-responsive humanitarianism by non-state actors (NSAs) in the context of the protracted conflict in North-east Nigeria. It’s against the backdrop of severe gendered impacts, including the strategic use of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the reconfiguration of gender roles, the research addresses the critical gap between policy commitments to gender equality and their practical application in the humanitarian response. While a diverse ecosystem of NSAs including International NGOs (INGOs), Nigerian National NGOs (NNGOs), and Local Women-Led Organizations (LWLOs) forms the backbone of service delivery, significant questions remain regarding how these actors interpret and integrate gender-sensitive approaches. The study adopt qualitative case study design and guided by a Feminist Political Economy theoretical framework, this research investigates how these different NSAs interpret, operationalize, and influence gender-responsive humanitarianism on the ground. The findings reveal a stark divergence in approaches: INGOs adopt a technical, policy-driven model; NNGOs prioritize a relational, context-embedded approach; and LWLOs advocate for a holistic model of empowerment. The study concludes that without addressing these structural power imbalances, the potential of the localization agenda to advance gender equality remains unrealized. It recommends direct funding and meaningful inclusion for LWLOs, a shift from sub-contracting to equitable partnerships for INGOs, and strengthened government accountability mechanisms to ensure humanitarian action is both genuinely gender-responsive and sustainably locally owned.

References

Adewuyi, S., & Alfa, I. (2023). Military counter-banditry operations and rural security in Northwestern Nigeria. Journal of African Security Studies, 14(2), 55–72.

Amnesty International. (2020). ‘Our Job is to Shoot, Slaughter and Kill’: Boko Haram’s Reign of Terror in Northeast Nigeria. London: Amnesty International Ltd.

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). (2020). Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020. Federal Government of Nigeria.

IASC (2018). The IASC Gender Handbook for Humanitarian Action. Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

ICVA (2019). The Grand Bargain: A Review of its Impact on Localization.

Krause, J. (2018). Gender Dynamics in Humanitarian Aid: The Role of Women in the Conflict in Northeast Nigeria. Oxford Research Group.

Matfess, H. (2017). Women and the war on Boko Haram: Wives, weapons, witnesses. Zed Books.

Mazurana, D., & Proctor, K. (2019). Accounting for Gender in Afghanistan: The Consequences of Aid Delivery Systems. Feinstein

International Center, Tufts University.

OECD. (2013a). Economic Policy reforms 2013. Going for growth. OECD Publishing.

Okeke, M. (2021). Evaluating military internal-security interventions in Nigeria. International Journal of Security Studies, 11(4), 66–84.

Schmidt, K. (2020). The localization of aid and the humanitarian capacity of local organizations in Northeast Nigeria. Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 5(1), 1-15.

Slim, H. (2015). Humanitarian ethics: A guide to the morality of aid in war and disaster. Hurst & Company.

Stoddard, A., Harmer, A., & Di Domenico, V. (2009). The Use of Private Security Providers and Services in Humanitarian Operations. Humanitarian Policy Group.

True, J. (2012). The political economy of violence against women. Oxford University Press.

UN Women (2020). Rapid Gender Analysis of COVID-19 and the Borno State Humanitarian Response. UN Women Nigeria.

World Bank (2020), when Poverty Meets Fragility: Why the Next Global Poverty Reduction is at Stake.