JISRA, DIWA, Others Organize Summit For Women In Kaduna State

By Muhammad Jalal

The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religion Action (JISRA) in collaboration with Development Initiative of West Africa( DIWA) with support from CAFOD and Mensen Met Mensen Under the JISRA has organized a two day workshop with the theme:” Empowering Voices and Advancing Women’s Rights within Faith and Societies ”

Declaring the workshop open, the country Director, Joint Initiative for Strategic Religion Action JISRA , Jude Likita said that empowering women and youths advocacy efforts had amplified women’s voices resulting in increased representation including the appointment of women to traditional councils as well as youths taking up leadership position in government offices.

He said that the Summit was a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose united by the commitment to creating peaceful and just societies where the dignity and rights of every individuals, regardless of their system were respected and upheld.

He added that JISRA advocacy had advanced freedom of religion and belief related issues contributing to universal periodic review collaboration with agency.

According to him, engaging stakeholders across all levels have laid foundation for lasting peace and progress in the communities .

He further said that JISRA had equipped communities with resolution skills and established early warning and responses mechanism, adding that several networks had been formed to advance peaceful cohesion in the cmmunities.

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer , Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) , Mr. Daoda Kanneh said that the summit was more than event , stressing that it was a call to action and a platform for amplifying women’s voices and commitment to advancing gender equality within societies and faith communities.

According to him, development initiative of West Africa was committed to addressing critical issues affecting vulnerable communities and peaceful coexistence in a multi religious and cultural environment.

“He added that the summit would empower women as leaders and change makers”

In her keynote address , Mrs Hannatu Ahuwan , the Acting Director, Director of Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), said that women stood as agents of change and pillars of peace, noting that in their communities in many ways they had been silent peace markers mediating conflicts in families communities and even between religious and ethnic groups.

She that women remained central in promoting peace for diversed beliefs, explaining that when women were empowered more likely to see communities that more inclusive and resilient”

She also said that women played the role of mother’s educators and community leaders among others and were known to have thought the values of of tolerance and respect for others’ beliefs.

A participant from Muslim student Society in Kaduna Council , Aisha Idris Ahmad ,who spoke on behalf of the
participants, expressed gratitude to JISRA and other partners for organizing the summit.

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