29th May 2024
Some participants at the event
The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)-Nigeria, has emphasised the need to harness the potential of young women in fostering and building peace in the country.
The Nigeria National Network Coordinator, Chief Dr. Bridget Osakwe, disclosed this at the two-day national youth forum on intergenerational peacebuilding. The forum, themed “Mentoring the Next Generation of Women Peacebuilders,” was held in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and Global Affairs Canada.
Speaking at the forum, Chief Dr Bridget Osakwe said that in order to build peace structures and peace campaigns in Nigeria, it was imperative to engage the potential of young women in peacebuilding activities. This, she explained, was the primary reason for the meeting.
“This youth forum aims to convene young women leaders for peace with peacebuilding practitioners and experts from across the country.
“The forum will promote mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among young women peacebuilders and more seasoned peacebuilding 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.
“The older generation of peacebuilding practitioners will serve to mentor the young women peacebuilders.
“It is expected that the forum will provide the opportunity for knowledge exchange and foster multi-generational cooperation among peacebuilders for the actualization of the Nigerian WPS and YPS NAPs,” said Dr Bridget Osakwe.
In her remarks, the WANEP-Nigeria Head of Programme, Mrs Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo, said the expected outcome of the meeting is increased understanding and cooperation between young women peacebuilders and established practitioners, contributing to a broader and enriched perspective on the implementation of the WPS and YPS resolutions in Nigeria.
Dr. Emem Okon outlined the following as characteristics of self-confidence: “assertiveness, appreciation, humility, fearlessness, calmness, willingness to help others, boldness to ask for help, secure enough to admit a weakness.”
Giving her presentation on Self-Awareness: Affirming Self and Vision Building, the Executive Director of Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI) – Dr Rachael Misan-Ruppee, said self-awareness was essential in peacebuilding and decision-making, especially for young women in Nigeria who are actively involved in peacebuilding efforts.
She said self-awareness serves as a compass that guides young people through the process of exploring their identities, aligning their values, and setting goals.
SOURCE:THE SUN