In her first book “Women and the War on Boko Haram: Wives,
Weapons, Witnesses”, Hilary Matfess documents the origins,
evolution, state, and future potential of Boko Haram, paying
particular attention to the gender perspective through which
women have been observers, participants, and mitigators to the
conflict in Nigeria. A quote from an interview with Governor
Kashim Shettima of Borno State, succinctly captures the com-
prehensive nature of the requirements to combat the group’s
ideological and military advances: ‘If someone says there is a
military solution only to Boko Haram, they are being economi-
cal with the truth.’
Matfess sets the scene for the book through her treatment of the
roots of the group and the origins – and incentives – for its ex-
pansion. Her discussion of the sociopolitical environment that
eventually grew to host Boko Haram solidly grounds the group
in its local context. Matfess noted, 1 “Before sharia was officially
implemented across the north, an estimated three in four cases
were adjudicated by local courts, many of which were governed
by customary laws that often included sharia.” 2 Instead of
supplanting the corruption and patronage networks that domi-
nated Nigeria’s political sphere, sharia merely provided another
version of patrimonialism. 3 The push for sharia was, in essence,
a demand for more responsive governance. 4 This fact - as well
as that many of Boko Haram’s precursors held similar grievances
against the inadequacies of existing local political and religious
elites – is notable. This supports the assertion that desire for
a consistent and reliable rule of law should be prioritized by
those combating Boko Haram, and speaks to the importance of
a whole-of-government approach to addressing the societal ills
that allow for the sustainment of such groups as Boko Haram.
Matfess’s attention to in- and post-conflict gender fragilities is
particularly relevant to the current interests of the USG regard-
ing the application of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
As March 2018’s Joint Publication 3-07.3 Peace Operations
doctrine explains, “Women, peace, and security is an interna-
tionally recognized term that includes protective and partic-
ipatory dimensions and addresses the disproportionate and
unique impact of conflict on women. Sexual violence, and other
gender-based violence, frequently occurs during conflict and
in fragile societies. It is usually, but not always, directed against
women and girls… Gender issues also include women’s partic-
ipation in a nation’s political, economic, and security sectors
and institutions, as women are vital to establishing peace and
maintaining future stability.”
Although addressing the victimization of women at the hands
of Boko Haram, Matfess also focuses on women’s agency, roles,
and options for self-determination in the group’s hierarchy once
absorbed (willingly or otherwise) into the group structure. This
recognition of the agency of women – whether in a small sub-
group or society writ large – is critical, given that studies have
demonstrated that advancing women’s status in society is one of
the most effective ways of preventing a relapse into conflict. 5
Further, Matfess’s field experience positioned her uniquely to
explore avenues of inquiry on the ground, which would not
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