Women yesterday condemned the havoc the Boko Haram sect has wreaked on the country.
They said its activities have dented Nigeria's reputation, adding that thousands of people have been killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Over 10,000 women from across the country protested against the Boko Haram insurgency at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
They sued for peace and urged women empowerment, saying: "The country needs peace to ensure rapid development."
Vice-President Namadi Sambo told the women that the Federal Government was committed to women empowerment.
He said 5,000 women have benefited from the Federal Government's Subsidy Reinvestment & Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
Sambo hailed women for initiating a programme, tagged: "Nigerian Women for Peace and Empowerment", aimed at celebrating Nigerian women across diverse socio-economic background.
The V-P also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for his contributions to women empowerment.
First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan said women desired the opportunity to speak for peace.
She enjoined the National Assembly to make laws to back the appointment and election of more women into leadership positions.
