by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: Women Mediators in Plateau State have been urged to put in their best and to step-down to the grassroots what they are learning on peace building.
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Dafur, disclosed this on Monday in Jos during the opening of a 3 days’ ‘Strengthening Capacity, Advocacy, and Local Engagements of Women Mediation Platforms in Plateau State’ organised by CLEEN Foundation in partnership with UN Women.
She commended the Foundation and urged them to continue with the good work they are doing – to educate women on peace building.
According to her, “Peace is necessary to be encouraged. Women and children are always the victims of any conflict.”
She noted that, “It is very good to bring women to the table for discussion when peace will be discussed or when discussions are being taken, because most at times when there is any civil unrest women and children are most victims.
“It is very important that we bring them at the table of discussion. Women are very good and known for negotiation, and to live in peace so is very good to build their capacity on that.”
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Gad Peter, said “The 3 days’ Capacity Building for Women on Medication Conflicts Resolution and Peace Building for Women in Plateau is of importance to all of us because of all the challenges we are all facing as a people, and because we can never overemphasize the role and place of women in our society.”
According to him, “Women are caregivers, peace promoters, advocates and voice of the voiceless. Historically, women have been the pillar-strength, resilience and change, and recognizing that role will give them the opportunity to be peace builders and be part of this process.
He said, this process is a testament of their collective commitment to empower women with skills and knowledge needed to be effective mediators, saying, “And we believe that by investment in the capacity building of women.
“We are not only promoting gender equality but also unlocking a peaceful force for positive change in our communities,” he stated.
He explained further that, “The objective of this program is to equip each and every one of you with practical skills for effective mediation, to enhance their understanding of local social-cultural and peace building efforts and to foster a supportive networking that will enable them to make massive contribution to coverage resolution.”
He stressed that, “We cut across religion, faith, generation, diverse ethnic background, diverse religions, and we strongly believe that you will bring experience that will add value not only to yourself but including their communities.”
He commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for the support they have been giving to the program and their support towards enhancing women participation in peace building security efforts as a government of the state.
He stated that, “Because of the population of the women not only in Plateau but in Nigeria they are a force that no one can take for granted, and because of the value that women bring to the table, I think we can do that to stabilize our various communities.”