The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has announced the finalists for the 2024 Women Building Peace Award, honoring three exceptional women for their tireless dedication to fostering sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions.
Among the finalists is Nigeria’s Dr. Mairo Mandara, a trailblazer in humanitarian work, education, and peacebuilding.
Dr. Mandara serves as the Chief Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnerships, and Humanitarian Affairs and as the Coordinator of the Humanitarian Agency.
Her pivotal role involves steering the state’s humanitarian efforts and aligning them with sustainable development and peacebuilding goals.
Dr. Mandara is also celebrated for her pioneering work in girls’ education and empowerment. As the founder of the Girl Child Concern (GCC), she has championed the cause of internally displaced girls affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Under her leadership, GCC established a secondary school for these vulnerable girls and facilitated education for over 250 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Borno and Yobe States. Many of these young women have since graduated from universities, while others are progressing through their academic journeys.
In an official announcement, USIP highlighted the significance of the Women Building Peace Award, stating, “USIP received nominations of women peacebuilders from 52 countries. The finalists were selected by USIP’s Women Building Peace Council, a 16-member group of experts and leaders in the fields of gender and peacebuilding, for their extraordinary dedication to creating sustainable peace in their communities.
Collectively, Lilly BeSoer, Visaka Dharmadasa, and Dr. Mairo Mandara represent three countries facing complex and challenging conflicts and embody exemplary leadership as peacebuilding practitioners.”
The Borno State Government has expressed pride in Dr. Mandara’s recognition, commending her as a distinguished daughter of the state and a symbol of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Prof. Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, remarked, “This acknowledgment of Dr. Mandara’s peacebuilding efforts is a testament to her unwavering commitment to rebuilding Borno and improving the lives of its people.”
This honor reinforces Dr. Mandara’s enduring legacy as a transformative figure in humanitarian work and peacebuilding, inspiring others to contribute to sustainable peace in conflict-prone regions.
