Refugees who became peacemakers: Young women leaders transforming communities in the Central African Republic

CAR has faced repeated cycles of conflict since 2013, when the Muslim-majority Seleka rebels seized power, prompting the rise of the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

In Batangafo, a northwestern city once renowned for its diversity, fear, distrust and displacement are now an everyday reality.

In the midst of this upheaval, Nina finds her purpose: helping others rebuild their lives and restore hope.

From displacement to determination

Talk to UN News he noted that “the violence in CAR in 2013 had a profound and lasting impact on my life, both personally and professionally.”

“Like many others in my home region of Batangafo and in conflict-torn countries, my family and I have become direct victims of armed clashes.”

“We were forced to leave our homes, possessions and stable lives to seek refuge in neighboring Cameroon to the west. This traumatic event strengthened my commitment to building peace and protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children.”

Since returning to Indonesia, Nina founded an NGO called Londo E Lekere (ILEL) (Let us rise and build) which is supported by United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). The organization leads initiatives focused on peacebuilding, and empowering women’s leadership.

Building bridges in a divided society

In a society divided by religious and ethnic mistrust, fostering dialogue across generations and beliefs remains one of the greatest challenges.

“Ethnic and religious tensions, particularly between Muslims and Christians, have increased since 2013, creating deep distrust and making genuine interfaith dialogue difficult,” Nina said, adding that “exacerbating this are generational and gender gaps, which often lead to the marginalization of young people and women in decision-making in society.”

To overcome these divisions, ILEL creates inclusive dialogue forums including radio programs, awareness campaigns in schools. It also organizes conferences and debates and promotes women as peace leaders.

Youth and gender: Turning obstacles into strengths

As a young woman carrying out a leadership role in a “patriarchal” context, Nina faced a lot of resistance.

“Elders and traditional leaders sometimes questioned the authority of young women like me to lead initiatives. This manifested itself in the form of initial resistance during inter-community awareness campaigns.”

Rather than viewing her youth as a limitation, Nina views it as an advantage.

“Being young allows me to connect with vulnerable teens and young people, who are often excluded from dialogue, and to embody dynamic female leadership that inspires resilience post-2013.”

Additionally, she also faces challenges directly related to her gender.

“Gender-based violence (GBV) has experienced a dramatic increase since 2013, with a significant increase between 2021 and 2022. This increase makes women like me the main targets and makes us targets for stigmatization.”

Education: The path to peace

Education, for Nina, is not just a professional focus, but a personal mission.

“Education empowers citizens, enables dialogue that transcends ethnic, religious and gender differences, and ensures they understand their rights,” he stressed.

Through ILEL, he launched a project that distributes learning materials, and trains teachers. The focus is on engaging parents, teachers and local leaders to ensure each program truly reflects community priorities.

A vision for resilience

From establishing health centers to supporting local farmers and documenting victims’ stories through community blogs, Nina’s work continues to provide inspiration throughout CAR and beyond.

“Peace, equality, and resilience,” he said, are the values ​​that continue to inspire and sustain his commitment to this cause, recognizing that peace is not built in conference rooms, but is fostered in classrooms, marketplaces, and villages, “by those who refuse to give up on hope.”