…Beneficiaries are encouraged to be good ambassadors
Juliana Francis
CLEEN Foundation has trained and equipped women in Kaduna State with skills in mediation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The three-day capacity-strengthening training was organised by the CLEEN Foundation, UNWOMEN, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development with support from the Norwegian Embassy.
The Honourable Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development, Dr Rabi Salisu expressed satisfaction with the performance of the trainers and trainees after the train the trainers session that took place in December 2023.
The particular session provided trainees with the opportunity to step down lessons learnt in their various communities, Local Government Areas and organisations for peace and social cohesion in Kaduna State.
Salisu highlighted the fact that Kaduna State stands first in Nigeria at the creation of a peace commission to address issues of peace.
She noted that mediation is a global tool and very useful for peaceful coexistence as human beings live together conflict is bound to happen but mediation is the solution.
She urged women and men to always mediate with a high sense of knowledge, understanding and responsibility irrespective of social-cultural or religious differences.
While commending CLEEN Foundation for bringing the training to Kaduna State, Salisu called on beneficiaries to be good Ambassadors of Kaduna State Government in their various homes, communities and local government areas.
The Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr Gad Peter, represented by Mrs Chigozirim Okoro, Programme Manager, explained that the training was meant to equip the women with practical skills necessary for effective mediation.
Director of Programmes, CLEEN Foundation, Dr Salaudeen Hashim, and the lead facilitator took trainees on the various sessions which included the following topics “Introduction to Conflict and Gender Analysis; Gender Inclusive Mediation and Peacebuilding and Understanding Peace Advocacy Campaign as a Tool for Policy Formulation and Change,” explained that mediation was all about bridge building and cannot be discussed in isolation of women.
Hashim explained that gender was a function of the mind and “everything we do and not about what we carry between our legs. We have a female traditional ruler in Delta State and in the Southwest, we have female Commissioners of Police and leaders in different fields of endeavour.”
He also said: “It is important to understand that gender connotes femininity and masculinity and there are men that are feminine just as there are masculine women. We should emphasize gender equity above gender equality. There shouldn’t be anything like Prof Mrs just as there is no Prof Mr. We should use gendered lens regardless of our sex.”
Hashim said peacebuilding and conflict resolution require an awareness of how both women and men could have the tool to contribute to sustainable peace and security.
The highlights of the training were simulation sessions, group presentations and drama production by the 40 women mediators trained on what they learnt and how to apply it in real-time for the promotion of social cohesion and peace in Kaduna State.
