In a concerted effort to foster peace and resilience in Kaduna State, Nigeria, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria spearheaded three days of programs from August 13-15, 2024. This series of events, in collaboration with local stakeholders, addressed pressing community issues, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment, security collaboration, and the inclusion of people living with disabilities in peacebuilding initiatives. Global Peace Women (GPW) Nigeria played a crucial role throughout these activities, reinforcing the message that “Peace begins in the home,” and highlighting the pivotal role of women in nurturing and sustaining peaceful communities.
The first day focused on youth sensitization under the theme “Say NO to Drug Abuse.” Held in partnership with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the Hayin Banki Community, the event provided a safe platform for young people to engage directly with community stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The discussions centered on the challenges faced by the youth, particularly the perils of drug abuse, and explored strategies to overcome these obstacles in pursuit of a peaceful and drug-free society.
GPW Nigeria, represented by Project Leader Aisha Yakubu, actively participated in the discussions, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and the role of families in preventing drug abuse. By engaging with the youth and community leaders, GPW Nigeria discussed the need for collective responsibility in guiding the younger generation towards positive life choices.
The second day featured a town hall meeting that brought together community stakeholders, including women and youth, for an in-depth dialogue with security agencies. Facilitated by GPF Nigeria, this dialogue aimed to strengthen collaboration between the community and security forces to create a peaceful and secure environment. A key focus of the discussions was the role of women in promoting or undermining peace within the community.
GPW Nigeria highlighted the essential role of women in peacebuilding, sharing about the “Peace begins in the home” campaign, which spotlights women as important caregivers and community influencers. Women leaders are uniquely positioned to instill values of peace and conflict resolution from the family unit and expanding outward to their communities. This message resonated strongly with the participants, who expressed eagerness for further engagement with GPW to build the capacity of women in peacebuilding efforts.
The final day was dedicated to engaging the community of people living with disabilities in Kaduna State. Themed "The Role of People Living with Disabilities in Peace Building," the event attracted significant participation from women, children, and other relevant stakeholders. GPW Nigeria again emphasized the foundational message that peace begins in the home, advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in all peacebuilding activities.
During this event, GPF Nigeria's Country Director, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, proposed initiatives to collaborate with GPW Nigeria in empowering women living with disabilities. This partnership aims to equip these women with the tools and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to peace and development in their communities. This approach will complement GPF Nigeria's broader goals by ensuring that peacebuilding efforts are inclusive, recognizing the critical roles of women, youth, and marginalized groups such as people living with disabilities.
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