Sustaining Peace on Migration Routes: Women from Agadez Contribute to Social Cohesion in their Neighbourhoods 

The Agadez region in northern Niger is one of the main migratory crossroads for thousands of sub-Saharan Africans attempting to reach North Africa. This large migratory flow increases the pressure on the region's already limited resources, which has led to increased frustration and tension for local communities. Additionally, cultural differences can be a source of conflict between host communities and migrants. 

To foster social cohesion in Agadez city, the Association of Nigerien Women against War (Association des Femmes Nigériennes contre la Guerre - AFNCG) set up four neighbourhood community committees in March 2022. Composed exclusively of women, the association has been working since its creation in 2006 on social cohesion, community dialogue, and the economic, social, and cultural emancipation of Nigerien women.

The neighbourhood committees set up by the AFNCG aim to strengthen peace between the host communities and migrants. Overall, ten community committees will be set up in the ten neighbourhoods that host the most migrants in the city of Agadez.

"It is important for women, from both local and migrant communities, to participate in peacebuilding. We are working on conflict prevention; we want to have strong communities capable of welcoming their sisters and brothers. Peace is priceless, and we need peace," says Zara Elhaji Mamadou, the regional president of the AFNCG in Agadez.

Fatima is a 60-year-old woman who joined the AFNCG twelve years ago. One day, she was invited to a meeting with the Chief of the Village to set up a committee of women that would promote peace in the neighbourhood. 

"During a meeting at the chief of the village's house, women committed themselves to peacefully preventing and resolving conflicts between local communities and migrants. Through the committee, we regularly organise community discussions to promote understanding, comprehension, acceptance, and tolerance of the other", explains Fatima. 

Through its community stabilisation programme funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF - Niger), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) supports the AFNCG in establishing these community committees. Committee members also receive support to set up their income-generating activities (IGAs). 

Since the launch of this initiative, 40 people have received financial support of 50,000 XOF (84 dollars) to start their IGAs. Sixty other women members of these committees will also benefit from this support in the coming weeks. 

After sharing her project ideas and aspirations, Fatima benefitted from this funding.

"I told the committee what I wanted to do. Then, I received an initial 50,000 XOF (84 dollars) to restart my activities, which I had to stop because of lack of funds," explains Fatima. 

Fatima makes cosmetic products, such as incense and body oils. She also knits clothes, tablecloths, and sheets and makes baskets and bags that she sells to her neighbours and friends. A widow for several years, Fatima is the head of the family. She lives alone with her seven children and grandchildren under 12. 

"I used to rely on my son to help me with the expenses. He worked in the migration sector, more precisely in the transportation of migrants. Some time before he died, he could no longer afford the daily expenses because the activity he was engaged in turned out to be illegal," says Fatima. 

At 60, it was difficult for Fatima to find a job. But, with the help of her relatives, she managed to feed her children and grandchildren. This new support to set up an IGA allows Fatima to provide for herself and her children and grandchildren.

"My life has completely changed. Now I can feed and care for my children and take care of the orphans left by my two children. I even manage to provide three meals a day for my grandchildren with what I earn," says Fatima. 

"Regarding our relationship with migrants, I am committed to working for peace in the neighbourhood through dialogue," she adds.  

"The main objective of this project is to strengthen the cohesion between the migrant population and the host population. Because there was a lot of conflict between these two populations in the past," says Habsatou Boubacar, National Coordinator of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat in Niger. The host population felt very frustrated with the support given to the migrant population. Today, the migrants even participate in cultural activities organised by the host community," concludes Zara Elhaji Mamadou, regional president of the AFNCG in Agadez.  

The community stabilisation programme aims to prevent conflict and strengthen social cohesion between host communities and migrants. It also seeks to support the most vulnerable communities, including youth and women, to rebuild their livelihoods to mitigate the impact of changes in migratory movements. Since the beginning of the project, 80,000 people, including 38,147 women, have been reached through community dialogues and socio-cultural activities. In addition, nearly 550 people have received economic support to set up income-generating activities, have been trained, and have participated in cash-for-work activities. 

These achievements were made possible thanks to the initiative/project entitled "Understanding and addressing conflict factors along migration routes in Agadez," funded by the UN SG's Peacebuilding Fund for 2,500,000 dollars. Its implementation is planned for the period from July 2020 to July 2022. The total number of beneficiaries reached as of March 2022 is 79,950, including more than 38,364 women.