The promotion of women’s inclusion in peacebuilding and conflict mitigation throughout vulnerable areas in Nigeria can’t be overemphasized as Plateau State is the focus of the project that will soon be put into action by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria.
FIDA Nigeria and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (“DFATD”) of Canada collaborated on this project to carry out a local initiative intervention that is supported by Canadian funding.
In a statement issued by FIDA Nigeria’s National Program Manager, Mr. Fikih Obaro, reaffirmed the project’s goal of creating a cohort of women who would advance peacebuilding in two vulnerable communities: Ta-Hoss community in the Riyom Local Government Area and Kwok village in the Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
This intervention will be advanced through building skill sets of community-based women leaders, especially within a conflict context as they require a deeper understanding of the dynamics and nuances of such environment in addressing the prevailing gender issues affecting security operations and community dialogues.
This intervention affirms that women in conflict-ridden societies, possesses important strategic insights and competencies for addressing security challenges and underlying factors.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
• Establish the roles of women as peacebuilders and mediators in focal communities.
• Provide a platform for shared learning on participatory peace process by women amongst local communities
• Enhance a collaborative and coordinated approach between security agencies & focal communities in mitigating conflicts
Consequently, the project will take into context the local dynamics on gender roles while seeking to empower women through culturally reflective strategies to participate effectively in the protection of their communities through peace-building efforts.
Through mapping of community peace-building forums & networks, the intervention will deliberately seek local women’s participation in the intervention, to challenge and change existing narratives on the role of women in peace and security, that seek to dis-empower them
The project will be implemented over an eight-month period and will support existing peace-building architectures, and relevant state and non-state actors in the state will be enabled to respond on security threats /issues identified and escalated at the community level by women who will serve as community safety partners.
FIDA Nigeria was established in 1964 with its main objectives being to establish friendly international relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect for all peoples; to preserve the rights and welfare of women, children & persons with disabilities, realising that the happiness of the home and the strength of the society is dependent on their wellbeing and to proffer advice to Government in all cases of disregard relating to women and children.
Signed
Amina Suzanah Agbaje (Mrs)
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria