Civil society and counter-terrorism governance: implementing the WPS agenda in Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Women-led civil society activism contributed to the adoption of the WPS Agenda and the Security Council’s recognition of these organisations as key WPS actors. However, civil society organisations (CSOs) are often allocated tokenistic roles during the national implementation of WPS resolutions. Drawing on Sabatier and Jenkin-Smith’s Advocacy Coalition Framework, this study analyses 35 semi-structured interviews and surveys with CSOs and state WPS actors in Nigeria to explore the opportunities provided and the methods used by the Nigerian government to engage civil society in processes to implement UNSCR 2242 as political measures. The article highlights that UNSCR 2242 can be used by CSOs to advocate for political participation within processes to implement CT/CVE measures. However, the implementation of the Resolution exposes these actors to greater risks in the domestic context. Further, operationalising WPS as a policy provides insights into how CSOs utilise their interaction within political sub-systems to influence policy processes.