Aleke Aleke in Abuja
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), have emphasized the urgent need to include women with disabilities in community peacebuilding mechanisms.
The group made this call at a town hall organised by Global Rights, in collaboration with Kukah Centre, Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative, and United Kingdom Aid, in Abuja last week.
The event, themed “Promoting Inclusion for Women with Disabilities in Community Peacebuilding Mechanisms: Understanding Barriers and Promoting Opportunities,” aimed to identify and address the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities in conflict-affected areas.
In her address of welcome, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodum Baiyewu, represented by Programme Manager Edosa Oviawe, said that Nigeria can only achieve sustainable peace if everyone, including women with disabilities, contribute to the peacebuilding process.
Baiyewu, highlighted the need to understand and address the barriers that exclude women with disabilities from peacebuilding efforts, including structural, systemic, cultural, and other barriers.
She stressed that the conference focused on practical strategies to ensure the inclusion of women with disabilities in peacebuilding efforts, amplify their voices, and prioritise their needs.
Baiyewu, also emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing these barriers to achieve a holistic approach to peacebuilding.
Global Rights, she said is currently running an intervention in the Northwest region of Nigeria, promoting women’s and social inclusion in peacebuilding processes and building resilience against extreme violence.
The region has been identified as a priority area due to the high incidence of mass atrocities and extreme violence in recent years.
The conference also highlighted the importance of community involvement in peacebuilding.
The Executive Director, explained that Global Rights has developed a community strategy for addressing peace and security, which includes the establishment of community development committees and early warning platforms.
The Executive Director of Kukah Centre, Rev Fr Atta Barkindo, stressed the importance of participatory and collaborative peacebuilding effort, ensuring that every member of the community has a voice, regardless of their background or disability.
The call for inclusion of women with disabilities in community peacebuilding mechanisms, he said is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable peace and promoting the rights and dignity of all individuals.
