Asmau Benzies Leo
Mrs Asmau Benzies Leo
Asmau Benzies Leo holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology, Master’s degree in Conflict Management and Peace Studies, with specialty in Gender, Conflict and Development and a Certificate in Global Executive Leadership from Howard University, School of Business from the United States of America. She is currently an Ambassador for the Federation for International Gender and Human Rights, USA. She is a Vital Voices Fellow, the Founder of the Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN), Nigerian based NGO that works to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment and the protection of human rights through the elimination of violence against women and girls, implementation of women, peace and security agenda and gender responsive governance at all levels. Her organisation works towards the Achievement of Peace, Gender Equality and Sustainable Development. She had worked with women and youth groups in Northern – Nigeria on interfaith mediation and Peacebuilding efforts for over 15 years especially in Plateau state and Northeast Nigeria.
She had worked on several National committees in Nigeria including as member of the Technical Working Group on the Draft of the Nigerian National Development Plan 2021- 2025 and Agenda 2030, Advisory Board Member for the Implementation of the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 and a member of the National Steering Committee for the implementation of Women in Agriculture Policy for Nigeria, Regional Women's Network on Security Sector Reform and Governance, Member, Sub-Committee NEC Technical Committee on Farmers/Herders Crisis, National Livestock Development Plan and Associated Activities, Member National Technical Working Group on Return, Readmission and Re-integration of Nigerian Returnees, Member National Technical Working Group on Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Technical Working Group on Violence against Children in Nigeria, Protection Sector Working Group – Abuja (Child Protection/SGBV Working Group), Member, Executive Board, 100 Women Lobby Group – Nigeria, among others.
She is a recipient of many notable awards including the GLOBAL PEACE AWARD 2020 for Nonviolence in Women, Peace and Security from the Federation for International Gender and Human Rights, USA, listed among 100 African Women in Development by Donors for Africa, honoured as one of the 50 most Inspiring Women in Nigeria 2021 in the same category with the Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by Business Day Newspapers and one of the 100FemiList in the Global South by Gender and Security Project and 2021 award recipient for Women Activism by Women Hub – Business Newspaper with Women as Ibukun Awosika and Tony Elumelu as awardees, Most Distinguished Women Change Makers in Africa 2020-2021 by the Humanitarian Awards Global, Recognized as one of the top 10 Nigerian Women #BreakingtheBias by ThisDay Newspaper on International Women’s Day, March, 2022.
A Transformational Leader and a Mentor to many young Nigerians. She is the convener of Peace Hub-Nigeria’ a global campaign on the engagement of young people in building a culture of peace and nonviolence in Nigeria and Women in Public Service Initiatives (WIPSI).