By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The Sokoto chapter of NAWOJ at the weekend, stepped up efforts at driving a strategic agenda of creating awareness among the women folk for involvement in the peace and security process of the country.
Setting the pace at a One -Day Special Platform on the Role of Women in Peace and Security organised by the NAWOJ, Guest Speaker, Professor Tukur M.Baba of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto noted that every individual has the responsibility of exhibiting the capacity at ensuring the security and peace of the society.
” Nigeria is still experiencing the challenges of peace, security and harmonious relations which genesis is from individual’s influence resulting to disharmony and destructions.”
According to Baba, doing so would strengthen the way towards mitigating challenges of insecurity , peace and unity being faced .
He noted that women were critical factors and could be instrumental in driving the agenda for sustained peace and security for nation building.
However, Baba regretted that women were relegated without given the free space to encourage themselves educationally, adding that they suffered most in the chain and process of survival.
Baba who also holds the title of Danmasanin Mutum Biyu in Taraba state identified research, environment, training, inclusiveness and resilience among fundamental drivers that were key to inspiring the confidence of women for peace and security.
He noted that women were fast exposed to negative issues as rape, asexual relationship and general GBV occasioned by injustices as fundamental issues to address.
” Women need to engage themselves in advocacy through associations like NAWOJ to be able to brace up to their role by identifying their competence and capacity against all sort of violence especially on the girl child.
” You also need to champion the principle of governance for accountability as well against corruption among other negative variables and components.
” Political leaders should also engage more women in the political arena with a view to ensuring fairness for peace and security in their homes”, he pointed out.
In her presentation , Dr. Asiyatu Abubakar Bagudu also of the UDUS described women as complementary partners to the development of the society stressing that peace and security were an important and integral aspects that even the two major religions, Islam and Christianity preached which all have to embrace and key in especially women who were custodians of character and learning right from infancy.
Hajiya Fatima who represented wife of the GOC 8 Division said women have been in forefront of leadership in many sectors including the military.
She said lots of women plays key role in peace keeping situations around the globe’ adding that women also engaged in solving conflicts in homes .
Federation of Muslim women Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) blamed injustice in the society” Injustice in the society made women victims of circumstance.
” Unless there is justice and equitable distribution of national wealth and other social inequalities are addressed, women will continue to suffer the consequence”, She said.
Delivering her welcome address, the state NAWOJ chairperson, Rakiya Muhammad said the programme was deliberately aimed at highlighting women’s strategic role in promoting and sustaining an enduring peace and stability in the face of the security challenges bedeviling the nation, noting that the general polls was around the corner.
According to her” We recognise the diverse roles women play across the spectrums and identify the need to equip them better to advance the nation’s peace and security as fundamental factors and driver of development for nation building.”
She said ” it’s prime and necessary women to brace up and get ready involved in the peace and security drive for a safe and harmonious society where prosperity can be achieved.”
