My name is Ruth John, a 43-year-old mother of two and a community peacebuilder from Jos, Plateau State, in Nigeria. Seven years ago, my marriage ended, and I took on full responsibility for raising my children. My son is 15, my daughter is 12, and I also look after my six-year-old niece. These challenges made me grow up fast, take charge, and choose responsibility instead of fear.
Even though I finished formal schooling after secondary school, my ambition kept growing. I always dreamed of serving in the military. When that didn’t work out, I focused my energy on community security and peacebuilding. I volunteered with the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria and now serve as Assistant Secretary for the Rukuba Road Unit, Zone C. I also worked with a private security company, Lesco Media, in Jos.
My turning point came when I enrolled in the WfWI training. It helped me build my leadership and peacebuilding skills. I learned to respect different opinions, resolve conflicts peacefully, and work together toward common goals. These skills, along with my security training, prepared me to handle conflicts both at home and in the community.
My community used to struggle with cultism, theft, alcohol abuse, and frequent violence. But the situation has greatly improved. Our team of professional hunters conducts patrols at least twice a month, and more often when needed, focusing on vulnerable spots to stop crime and respond quickly to threats. Just seeing us around has helped reduce violence and bring back a feeling of safety.
Besides patrols, I’m an active member of Peace Sisters, a women-led peace group with over 100 members in my community. We meet every month to talk openly about challenges to peaceful living, like domestic conflicts and youth substance addiction. We support each other with advice, mediation, and emotional support, especially for mothers dealing with children affected by substance abuse.
Being the only female security officer in my community gives me a special and trusted role. People of all ages and backgrounds come to me to help settle disputes, especially those involving theft, alcoholism, and family disagreements. Once, I stepped in during a violent fight between two men at a bar. Remembering past fights that ended in death, I managed to calm things down and stop the violence. The next morning, both men came to my house to thank me. That moment showed me how peacebuilding quietly but powerfully saves lives.
To maintain peace in our community, our hunters’ team worked with local leaders to set clear rules: no fighting or violence, teenagers are not allowed in bars, and bars have been moved away from where people live. These steps have helped improve youth discipline and cut down on conflict hotspots.
I actively encourage other women to participate in community security efforts; however, fear remains the primary barrier. This includes fear of training, handling weapons, and social judgment. Nevertheless, neighboring communities have successfully integrated women into their teams, demonstrating that such inclusion is achievable.
I truly believe that peace starts inside each of us. When we find inner peace, it helps us connect with others and lead with purpose. When people feel safe, communities can grow. My work shows that women are not only recipients of peace but also its creators, protectors, and keepers.