On September 26, 2024, over 120 women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds gathered at the Epitome Hotel Event Centre in Barnawa, Kaduna, for an inspiring program organized by Global Peace Women (GPW) Nigeria. This one-day event, titled “Empowering Families for Community Peace Advocacy,” was a powerful initiative aimed at strengthening families to promote peaceful communities.
The event, hosted in partnership with Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, focused on the crucial role of women in peacebuilding, especially within the family unit. With distinguished speakers such as Hajiya Asmau Ahmed Makarfi, wife of the former governor of Kaduna State, and Dr. Lydia Umar, the executive director of Gender Awareness Trust, the program emphasized the message that peace truly begins in the home.
The event's core message revolved around women's role as peace advocates within the family. GPW Nigeria’s slogan, ‘Peace Begins in the Home,’ was reinforced by numerous speakers who stressed that families are the foundation of any peaceful society. Reverend John Joseph Hayab, the country director of GPF Nigeria, reiterated this point in his opening remarks, noting that strong families have the power to tackle societal challenges like violence, crime, and terrorism.
Rev. Hayab called upon women to step into their roles as primary caregivers and conflict mediators, reminding them of the immense responsibility they hold in nurturing peace-minded children.
“If any society gets it right with the family,” he said, “it can get every other thing right, peace inclusive.”
Hajiya Asmau Makarfi, delivering the keynote address, spoke passionately about the indispensable role of women in peace advocacy. Drawing from religious teachings, she highlighted that true peace would only be achieved when women rise to their full potential and actively participate in building harmonious homes and communities. Hajiya Asmau called on women to "occupy their God-given positions" and ensure peaceful families that could, in turn, birth peaceful societies.
The event also featured a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Lydia Umar, who explored how families are the first schools of peace. She explained that the values and behaviors taught within the home—such as empathy, respect, and understanding—are essential to creating peaceful societies.
“When women are empowered,” Dr. Umar said, “families flourish, and communities prosper.”
The event was not only about inspiring speeches. It also provided practical steps for action. Participants were divided into three groups—ZUMUNCI (Fellowship), KAUNA (Love), and SALAMA (Peace)—each tasked with developing an action plan to continue the peace advocacy initiated during the program. These groups proposed activities like interfaith visitations, girl-child empowerment talks, and peace advocacy in worship places, all of which aim to foster stronger communities rooted in peace.
The program's impact was evident in the powerful testimonies of women who felt empowered by the discussions and ready to take their peacebuilding roles seriously. As Prof. Hauwawu Evelyn Yusuf from Kaduna State University remarked, “Women are the basic agents of socialization, and it is our responsibility to ensure peaceful families, peaceful communities, and a peaceful state.”
The family empowerment program culminated in the creation of a network of women committed to fostering peace in their homes and communities. With the support of GPW Nigeria and GPF Nigeria, this initiative will continue to engage women across Kaduna State and beyond, ensuring that the message of peace spreads far and wide.
As Mrs. Lois Joseph Hayab, wife of the GPF Nigeria country director, noted in her closing remarks, the transformation of families is key to a peaceful society. She urged women to “find peace in their hearts” so that they can “emit peace in the home and family.”
Learn more: Nigeria | Global Peace Foundation.
