NAN-HG-14
Women
By Martha Agas
Jos, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Involvement of women in decision making will boost the attainment of sustainable peace and development in Nigeria, the UN Women official has said.
Mr Peter Mancha, the Deputy Programme Manager, UN Women, a body under UN, made the assertion on Tuesday at a two-day workshop organised for women journalists in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were drawn from Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Theme of the workshop is: “Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria’’.
It was funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
It is to build the capacity of women journalists as key actors in the advocacy for peace and security.
Mancha said that the workshop would also strengthen women in leadership role, advance gender equality and improve the protection of women and children in conflict areas.
He said that more than 30 women from each of the states were being trained and mentored as advocates to fast track the promotion of peace and security.
According to her, women are always the worst hit during conflicts of any kind.
In her remarks, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, the President, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said that women were key actors in ensuring peace and security because of their innate skills for conflicts resolution.
“Government should engage women in the peace-making process because they have natural endowment for resolving conflicts and they are most affected by crisis,’’ Omowole said.
She urged NAWOJ members to engage the communities in their respective areas in the promotion of peace and security.
Omowole said that empowerment of young girls through mentorship and economic empowerment was required for the development of any society.
Also, Mrs Rufina Gurumyen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Plateau, said that the power of information could change negative perception in the society.
Gurumyen, represented by Mr Tireng Retshik, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, urged participants to use the knowledge acquired at the workshop to serve as change agents in the society. (NAN)
MAA/COF/GOK
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Olagoke Olatoye
=========