From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
In a bid to foster sustainable peace and promote gender equality in conflict resolution, CLEEN Foundation, in partnership with UN Women and the Norwegian Embassy, convened a one-day interface session with National Women Mediators in Plateau State.
The gathering aimed to enhance the capacity of these women in conflict resolution and mediation, with a particular focus on gender perspectives.
Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Gad Peter, emphasized the crucial role of women mediators in maintaining and expanding their networks, as well as supporting peace-focused initiatives at all levels.
He stressed the importance of collaboration with formal security stakeholders to ensure safety and stability within their communities.
The Chairperson of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Barr Olivia Dazyem, commended CLEEN Foundation for the training initiative and highlighted the need for women mediators in local government areas.
She emphasized the Commission’s commitment to supporting these women and ensuring their participation in mediation processes.
One of the pressing issues discussed at the interface session was human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of children. Barr Dazyem revealed the alarming number of Nigerian girls stranded in cities across Africa, including Plateau State.
She urged women mediators to be vigilant in their communities and report any suspicious activities related to trafficking.
The training provided an opportunity for women mediators to learn new skills and strategies for conflict resolution.
Magdalene U.I. Ignazua, a National Women Mediator, expressed her gratitude for the training and encouraged her fellow mediators to put their new knowledge into practice.
