By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
CLEEN Foundation has said that Kaduna State has reiterated its commitment to having everlasting peace towards building a sustainable peace in the state and the country at large.
The Chairlady Women Mediators Network, Kaduna State, Professor Evelyn Hauwa’u Yusuf on Wednesday, made this known during a sensitization campaign on Women’s mediation and conflict prevention plan among state peace structures in response to conflict and insecurity in the state which was held in Kaduna.
Speaking on Women Mediators Network: Overview, mandate, roles and responsibilities, successes, challenges and roadmap in response to conflict and insecurity in the state through panel discussion, “Women Expertise and inclusion in Mediator, conflict Resolutions and peace-building in Kaduna State.
According to her, CLEEN Foundation in the pursuit of comprehensive and effective conflicts resolution, collaboration between security stakeholders and mediation practitioners is crucial.
Hauwa’u called on Kaduna North and South local government areas to begin to work, adding that CLEEN has heard their cry and they are taking them to the larger world.
Prof. Hauwa’u emphasised that before the UN can invest in them, they will want to see what they can do for themselves, what they can deliver.
“There’s a need for us to be ready to make extra sacrifices. We cannot relent, we cannot slow down because this is the beginning of the journey,” she stressed.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director CLEEN Foundation, Mr Gad Peter, represented by the administrative officer, Mr Simon Shanum Sylvester explained that the interface session aims to bridge the gap between security forces and mediation experts to engage mutual understanding, foster cooperation and develop frameworks for joint action in conflict situation.
“The increasing complexity of conflicts demands a multi stakeholder approach. This session seeks to create a platform for open dialogue and knowledge exchange between security stakeholders and mediation practitioners, recognizing that their collaboration is essential for sustainable peace-building.
“CLEEN Foundation with the support from UN Women is expected to train women mediators in Plateau and Kaduna states under the project titled, “Strengthening Capacity, Advocacy and Local Engagements of Women Mediation Platform (SCALE_Mediatiin)”.
“Interfacing with security agencies is a key activity on the project. The focus on the work of women mediators is to enhance their capacity for effectiveness as professional mediators in Kaduna and Plateau states.
“The new UN Women programme is designed to build on the successes and lessons learnt from these previous initiatives and taking into account the current and emerging peace and security context in Nigeria, as well as UN Women’s women, peace, security and Humanitarian Action priorities.
“The ultimate objective of the programme is to create a more peaceful and gender equal society in Nigeria.
“For them to achieve this goal, the programme will focus on creating an enabling environment for the implementation of women, peace and security commitments through strengthening policy frameworks, capacity, coordination and oversight of federal and state entities.
“Additionally, there will be an emphasis on enhancing the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and peace-building and on improving public perception of the role of women in peace and security at the national level and in the target states.
“Through these efforts, we hope to deliver on the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 commitments for conflict prevention and sustainable peace,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Dr Saleh Momale said, the meeting with the mediator CLEEN Foundation is important on issue that are facing many communities level.
“With the level of training and capacity they have acquired, they are better capacitated and the network that is being created will help and strengthened fair and equitable access to justice within the state”. He added.
He pointed out that, “Kaduna State Peace Commission as well as Kaduna State Government, are currently thinking of how to synergize with Kaduna State Ministry of Justice and the Chief Judge of Kaduna State to work out mechanisms of strengthening on peace resolutions.
*Initiatives that we have witnessed today, will go a long way in assisting the state to achieve its objective of ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and amicable resolution of disputes,” he assured.
However, Co – Executive Chairman, Interfaith Mediation Centre – IMC, Dr Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa said, “looking at the situation in the country, mediators in the country are our women, our mothers, who play important roles in the country by making impact in the society.
“Women play important roles in reconciliation. When they speak as mothers, sisters, wives, the trouble makers listen.”
He urged women to use their voices to raise the sustainable peace in the society as they need more women to get involved.
Dr. Ashafa called on Nigerian women to say no to materialism because it will not follow them to their graves, no to violence in Nigeria, rape and violent killings.
The Director of Programmes, CLEEN Foundation, Dr Salaudeen Hashim, who was the lead facilitator, took trainees on topic, “presentation of the project synopsis, goal, objectives activities progress made” explaining that mediation is all about bridge building and cannot be discussed in isolation of women.
Dr Salaudeen Hashim said peace building and conflict resolution requires an awareness of how both women and men can have better tools to contribute to sustainable peace and security.
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