“Conflict trace to Fulani, Hausa over natural resources
*Say’s over 8, 000 deaths, 200, 000 in IDPs so far
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has commenced capacity building of women on conflict, gender sensitivity and advocacy in Kaduna state northwest Nigeria.
This was made known during a workshop held on Friday in Kaduna entitled “Women Peace Network: Capacity Building Workshop On Conflict, Gender Sensitivity and Advocacy”.
An International Alert Nigeria NGO with funding from United Kingdom Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), is implementing the project code named “Adalchi Shine Kwanciyar Hankali” (Achieving Justice Promotes Stability) to address these challenges”.
The project is aimed at supporting stabilisation, local justice and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), prevention through broadening inclusion, accountability and managing tensions to reduce violence in Zamfara and Kaduna states.
A background statement by Sunday Jimoh Momoh, Senior Project Officer, International Alert, Women Peace Network (WOPEN), noted that “Kaduna and Zamfara states have experienced conflicts and violence which have impacted on peace, stability, access to justice and socio-economic development of these states and other parts of the NorthWest/East.
“This situation has deteriorated over the last decade, and increasingly so, since 2019. The violence is rooted in competition over natural resources between Fulani herders and the predominant Hausa farmers and escalated amid a rise in organised crime, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and village raids.
“Over 8,000 deaths since 2011, and displaced about 200,000, some into neighbouring Niger and other countries in the Sahel. These violent acts and continued conflicts have continued to impact on communities with vulnerable and marginalised groups being most affected.
“Women and girls are exposed to all forms of abuse with no platforms to address abuse, hold perpetrator’s accountable, access to justice and other basic services and participation in policies and
decision making as it affects them”, it stated
Mr. Momoh therefore opined that women should be integrated in leadership and consultative roles as they have skills. resources and capacities that could be harnessed to promote development, peace
building and access to justice in communities.
*We believe that empowering people in communities with information, skills and
building capacities particularly of women and other marginalised groups will produce inclusive institutions, cohesive communities and accountable institutions.
“In view of the above and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2023, 5 (Gender Equality and Empowerment) and 10 (Reduce inequality), International Alert
with funding from the United Kingdom CSSF is implementing the project; Adalchi Shine Kwanciyar Hankali (Achieving Justice Promotes Stability) to address these challenges.
“The project is aimed at supporting stabilisation, local justice and SGBV prevention through broadening inclusion, accountability and managing tensions to reduce violence in Zamfara and Kaduna states”, he stated.
The statement further stressed that the rationale for the capacity building workshop was designed for members of the WOPEN, who have been selected from four LGAs of “our intervention.
The network comprises women in
leadership, women from different ethnic and religious groups and also women from the Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDS) amongst others.
“This workshop will equip members and other participants with skills, and provide knowledge to understand the basic concepts of.
A. conflict, gender sensitivity,
B. Sexual and Gender-based violence and C. Advocacy which will in turn improve (1) referral pathways and networks (II) mitigate and prevent continued cases of SGBV, (III)provide/improve platforms for dispute
resolution, (IV) integrate gender sensitivity & mainstreaming and (VI) conflict management”, it added.
The workshop was interactive and allowed participants to identified some barriers to peace in their communities and also include exercises such as power work to
enable participants to understand the relationship between power and abuse.
“This workshop will significantly address the issues of conflict, gender sensitivity, and SGBV towards sustainable peace. Cause a change in attitudes and
behaviors towards issues around conflict and gender.
Objectives of the workshop, include amongst other overall aim, to create platforms to raise the voices of women and other marginalised groups, improve local capacities and institutions, conflict
management, improve advocacy skills, promote women leadership, mitigate SGBV integrate gender mainstreaming in promoting stability, access to justice and
accountability in local communities.
“Specifically, the aim of the conference is to ensure effective referral pathways and networks to address SGBV concerns, encourage sustainable networks and platforms for vulnerable groups to
demand justice and promote accountability, Provide skills and knowledge for women and other vulnerable groups towards
integration in decision making processes, sustainable peace and development and equip participants with skills for advocacy and conflict management towards”, it stated.
Participants interviewed sincerely thanked the organisers for the workshop aimed at empowering and equipped the women folks on conflicts, gender sensitivity and advocacy, saying the training has broaden their horizon on how, when and what to do to bring about Peace between different religious faith among others.
