Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once said, “When women participate in peace-making and peace-keeping, we are all safer and more secure.” Global Peace Women is committed to amplifying women-led initiatives with a view to become moral and innovative leaders and peace builders to their local communities. Between the months of May and July 2022, Global Peace Women in partnership with Mujib Hope Foundation carried out an initiative to increase women participation in peace building and livelihood opportunities for survivors of past conflicts in Mbamoi community in Yola-South local government area in Adamawa state in Nigeria.
The project leader, Global Peace Women Leadership Academy (GPWLA) Graduate Muniratu Jibrin led a team of volunteer in carrying out a series of training workshops on the role of women in peace building. The team also shared parental tips on how the women can identify signs of and prevent child abuse. The project which was a Global Women’s Dream Grant March 2022 cycle recipient also supported the women by donating business startup kits to them.
Adamawa State is one of the biggest states in Nigeria bordering other states like Borno, Gombe, Taraba and the Country of Cameroon. Its proximity to Borno State, a Boko Haram activity hub makes its population very vulnerable to acts of violence and conflict. In Yola-South Local Government Area of Adamawa State, violence has been reported over the years, majorly along sectarian lines.
These cases of violence have affected women’s health, both physically and psychologically. In addition, women have over the years been unable to fully participate in societal development as a result. This has in turn increased their suffering because of the violation of their human rights. The 20 women participants aged between 25 to 40 years who are all survivors of past conflicts and gender based violence (GBV) were equipped with life and work skills like soap making and pastries making to economically empower them.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once said, “When women participate in peace-making and peace-keeping, we are all safer and more secure.” Global Peace Women is committed to amplifying women-led initiatives with a view to become moral and innovative leaders and peace builders to their local communities. Between the months of May and July 2022, Global Peace Women in partnership with Mujib Hope Foundation carried out an initiative to increase women participation in peace building and livelihood opportunities for survivors of past conflicts in Mbamoi community in Yola-South local government area in Adamawa state in Nigeria.
The project leader, Global Peace Women Leadership Academy (GPWLA) Graduate Muniratu Jibrin led a team of volunteer in carrying out a series of training workshops on the role of women in peace building. The team also shared parental tips on how the women can identify signs of and prevent child abuse. The project which was a Global Women’s Dream Grant March 2022 cycle recipient also supported the women by donating business startup kits to them.
Adamawa State is one of the biggest states in Nigeria bordering other states like Borno, Gombe, Taraba and the Country of Cameroon. Its proximity to Borno State, a Boko Haram activity hub makes its population very vulnerable to acts of violence and conflict. In Yola-South Local Government Area of Adamawa State, violence has been reported over the years, majorly along sectarian lines.
These cases of violence have affected women’s health, both physically and psychologically. In addition, women have over the years been unable to fully participate in societal development as a result. This has in turn increased their suffering because of the violation of their human rights. The 20 women participants aged between 25 to 40 years who are all survivors of past conflicts and gender based violence (GBV) were equipped with life and work skills like soap making and pastries making to economically empower them.
Additionally, they benefited by receiving financial literacy skills training and thereafter formed their own Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA). In line with this, the women were connected with LAPO Microfinance bank where 80% of them opened bank accounts. The women were elated and grateful for the training and business support they had received especially after the shocks they had received in the recent past from both Covid-19 pandemic and Boko Haram crisis.
“This project has increased my confidence and means of livelihood,” shared one of the beneficiaries.
Overall, the project goals of increasing the confidence and livelihood opportunities for the women were met. Despite the project going so well, Muniratu experienced a few challenges during the implementation process, including language barriers and inflation of commodity prices. Her team mitigated these challenges by getting a language interpreter and also adding personal funds to ensure the project was completed as planned.
Afi Obot who participated as the project assistant initially had a challenge handling administrative aspects of the project but it served as an opportunity for her to learn on the job.
“The project increased my coordination and administrative skills,” she said.
“This project has increased my capacity in team work as well as conducting monitoring and evaluation,” a volunteer in the project shared.
Grateful for the support she had received from GPW, Muniratu expressed her joy at having served others in her community and gaining a learning opportunity through initiating and leading her own project.
“This project has increased my leadership capacity,” she added.