Kaduna Govt, Partners Educate Women On Peace-building, Security

Kaduna State government, in collaboration with some development partners, has intensified efforts to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding and community security through a sensitisation programme for women in Rigasa and Nariya communities of Igabi local government area.

The engagement, held over the weekend, was organised by the Kaduna State Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security (KADSAP II) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), with support from SPRiNG and the United Kingdom’s International Development programme.

At the event, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu, emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among women in the communities.

Salisu said women play critical roles in preventing conflicts and sustaining peace, particularly within families and at the community level.

Represented by the ministry’s director of Gender Affairs, Lami Usman, the commissioner urged women to see themselves as key actors in promoting peace and security in their communities.

She also encouraged them to form cooperative groups to enable them to access the government’s empowerment programmes and other initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods.

According to her, the government would continue to monitor such groups to ensure that the support provided translates into meaningful improvements in the beneficiaries’ lives.

“The government wants to see real change in the lives of women. Forming cooperative groups will help ensure that the support provided benefits many people and strengthens community development,” she said.

The chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Kaduna State, Bukola Ajao, said the programme formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.

She explained that the engagement also enlightened the participants on the Kaduna State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which seeks to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance.

Ajao added that the sensitisation focused on the four pillars of the action plan, participation, protection, prevention and promotion, aimed at enhancing women’s involvement in peace and security initiatives.

She urged women to support and mentor one another in order to sustain progress in advancing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.

In their separate remarks, Hussaini Bilkisu from Nariya community and Ramatu Abubakar from the Rigasa commended the organisers, noting that the programme had enlightened many women on issues such as rape and domestic violence.