International Alert inaugurates women peace mediators in Sokoto
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
An NGO, International Alert Nigeria has inaugurated Sokoto Women Mediators Network (SWMN) to strengthen peacebuilding and conflict prevention mechanisms across communities in Sokoto State.
The effort was a step towards promoting inclusive peacebuilding and strengthening women’s participation in conflict prevention.
The network is under the Resilience, Engagement, and ConflictPrevention for At-Risk Populations’ Protection in Sokoto State (RECAP Project).
The RECAP Consortium comprise International Alert, Action Against Hunger (ACF), Save the Child Initiative (STCI) and is funded by the European Union.
The initiative seeks to create sustainable and state-owned platform that would harness leadership potential of women in mediation, dialogue, and peacebuilding across Sokoto state.
Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Hadiza Shagari, welcome the initiative, saying it would enhance inclusiveness and women participation in peacebuilding building efforts.
Shagari, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Hajia Hauwa’u Umar-Jabo, pledged maximum support to the initiative and urged the selected women to live up to expectations.
She emphasised that strengthening women-led mediation platforms would help address gender specific conflict drivers, improve inclusive dialogue, and build stronger community resilience against
violence and instability.
In his address, the Project Manager, International Alert Nigeria, Mr Sanusi Audu, said the initiative was conceived to strengthen women’s voices in peace processes, particularly at the grassroots where women often play critical but unrecognised roles in resolving disputes and fostering community cohesion.
“The network is designed to integrate into the national network, serving as a locally owned, independent platform that amplifies women’s leadership in conflict prevention, mediation,
and peacebuilding.
” As an organisation, we disrupt the cycle of
violence by promoting inclusive, conflict sensitive, and community centred justice systems,” Audu said.
He said that the RECAP project was aimed at reducing conflict drivers and promoting peaceful coexistence in Sokoto State through inclusive dialogue, women and youth empowerment, and equitable resource management.
He noted that the establishment of the women mediators network was a critical component of achieving these objectives.
The project manager added that the platform brought together 30 committed women mediators from diverse backgrounds, government institutions, justice sector actors, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners.
” It was to establish the Network’s governance structure, promote inclusive dialogue, and strengthen social cohesion in Sokoto state.
” International Alert is a peacebuilding organisation working around the world to lay the foundations for lasting peace in communities affected by violent conflict.
” Alert has been supporting peacebuilding and conflict prevention in Nigeria since 2011. These efforts have focused on contributing to greater social cohesion through, for example,
the reintegration of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence and children associated, ” he said.
Also speaking, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabi, described women empowerment and involvement in decision making as necessary in solving conflicts and inculcation of moral values in the society.
The event featured discussions on the network’s vision, mission, objectives, code of conduct and identified leadership structures and key working committees that will guide its operations moving forward.
Participants elected leaders for the network and adopted the Network’s Terms of Reference, which incorporates strategies for cascading mediation and peacebuilding efforts across local government areas in the state.
