Experts emphasise importance of training young women for peace-building in Nigeria
Conflict resolution and peacebuilding experts have highlighted the crucial need for training and equipping young women as peacebuilders through structured mentorship programs in Nigeria.
This call was made during a two-day national youth forum on intergenerational peacebuilding, organized by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and Global Affairs Canada.
Held virtually, the forum, themed “Mentoring the Next Generation of Women Peacebuilders,” brought together peacebuilding practitioners and young women leaders to foster mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration.
Dr. Bridget Osakwe, National Network Coordinator for WANEP-Nigeria, underscored the imperative of leveraging the potential of young women in peacebuilding initiatives to build sustainable peace structures and campaigns.
“This youth forum aims to convene young women leaders for peace with experienced peacebuilding practitioners across the country.
“It promotes mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among young women peacebuilders and seasoned practitioners, contributing to the advancement of the UNSCR 1325 women, peace, and security (WPS) and UNSCR 2250 youth, peace, and security (YPS) resolutions in Nigeria,” Dr. Osakwe stated.
Mrs. Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo, Head of Program at WANEP-Nigeria, emphasized the expected outcome of enhanced understanding and cooperation between young women and established peacebuilders.
This, she noted, would lead to a richer perspective on implementing the WPS and YPS resolutions in Nigeria.
Dr. Emem Okon, in her presentation on “Building Self-confidence and the Act of Leadership,” stressed the importance of self-confidence in enabling young women to achieve their personal and professional goals. She encouraged the participants to develop attributes such as assertiveness, humility, and a willingness to help others.
Similarly, Dr. Rachael Misan-Rupee, Executive Director of Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI), highlighted self-awareness as a critical component of effective peacebuilding and decision-making.
She urged young women to align their personal values with professional goals and to confront societal biases that limit their potential.
The forum also featured insights from Prof. Patricia Donli of the Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre, who explored the roles and benefits of mentorship.
Prof. Donli defined a mentor as an experienced advisor who supports and guides mentees in their personal and professional development.
She emphasised the importance of trust, mutual respect, and open communication in the mentor-mentee relationship.
The event concluded with practical advice on becoming a peacebuilder, including the need to establish clear goals, develop relevant skills, and build networks and collaborations.
The experts reiterated that mentorship is a continuous process, essential for nurturing the next generation of women leaders in peacebuilding.
This forum marks a significant step towards empowering young women in Nigeria to take active roles in peace-building, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable approach to conflict resolution and community development.
