Women suffer more during conflicts, should be protected – British High Commission, Rowe

Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Nigeria, views her role as a significant privilege that has allowed her to work across diverse countries and engage with inspiring individuals. Her career has spanned postings in Jordan, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Nepal, Vietnam, Ghana, and Zambia, providing her with a global perspective and a sense of involvement in world events.

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So, it’s been an incredible journey across different countries, and that means I have met some amazing people, some really inspiring people, and it also means I feel part of world events, both as a witness and also as someone who’s able to shape, in a very small way, some of those world events.

"I have grown up and spent much of my career in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, as well as the UK. So that’s all been a lot of fun," Rowe shared, reflecting on her formative experiences. Her current position in Nigeria is multifaceted, requiring her to analyze geopolitics, regional dynamics, and the specific context of Nigeria-UK relations to optimize their development partnership.

Rowe described the UK's approach in Nigeria as a "modern development partnership," focusing on mutual economic growth, security, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, climate resilience, and strengthening health and education systems. While the commission does not engage in politics, it participates in the electoral process. "The upshot of that, actually, is that my main objective is to try and see Nigeria succeed. It is in everyone’s interest," she stated.

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The job here is really big, and I really enjoy it, and it means a couple of things. One is that I have to look at the geopolitics. I have to look at the regional politics as well as the context of Nigeria and UK themselves and try and understand what’s going on in order to get the best out of what we’re trying to do here.

She elaborated on the importance of Nigeria's success, asserting that it benefits not only Nigeria itself but also the United Kingdom, the region, and the global community. This overarching goal is what motivates her daily work. The interview also touched upon the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, highlighting the importance of women's leadership and the UK's development priorities in Nigeria.

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It is in everyone’s interest. It’s in the UK’s interest. It’s in our interest. It’s in Nigeria’s interest. Regional, continental, and global, to see Nigeria succeed, and that is what gets me out of bed every day.