Women, Peace and Security is a global issue championed by the United Nations Security Council as published in many of her different resolutions to prioritize girls and women in all areas relating to their peace, security and development. This is to give girls and women chance to actively participate in peacebuilding processes especially where there is war and other activities that can endanger their life.
In an attempt not to leave Nigerian girls behind in active participation in all peacebuilding processes, the duo of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding-Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter) and a foremost peacebuilding organization in the South West Region, Kazeem Olubunmi Isolagbenla Foundation through a joint initiative launched the first ever Women, Peace and Security Project “SHE 4 PEACE” in Ibadan to mark this year’s children’s day. Project SHE 4 PEACE is targeted at bringing girls (in senior secondary schools) into the ideals and principles of Women, Peace and Security by catching them young. This understandably will equip them with adequate knowledge and effective skills to live a peaceful life and co-exist with others in the society peacefully.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Ibadan Development Centre (the host organization) Don Micheal Adeniji congratulated the two organizations that initiated the project and all the participants, he noted that ‘there is no better time than now to integrate our girls into the ideals of peacebuilding knowing fully well the challenges girls and women are facing in our societies. He therefore, called on governments and every other stakeholder to prioritize the issues of girls and women by making policies and creating activities that will empower them to live meaningful life.
The Project Coordinator, Kolawole Amusat-Gbenla highlighted the objectives of the unveiled “SHE 4 PEACE” Project to include building capacity of girls to be able to identify their rights, speak out at all times when necessary especially when abused in any form or molested, and empower them to advocate for their rights. He added that the project is targeted at raising about 2000 Women, Peace and Security Advocates in secondary schools within six months.
Also speaking at the event was Dr. Bolanle Omidiji, the Zonal Coordinator, WANEP-Nigeria (South West Zone), she emphasized the importance of parents being good examples of Peace Ambassadors at home which children can emulate. She added that WANEP-Nigeria will continue to play remarkable roles as leading peacebuilding network in Nigeria. The representative of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Barrister Adetayo Ayoade appreciated the organizers of the event and commend their efforts for prioritizing issues of girls and women in their programmes. He therefore pledged the Ministry’s unflinching supports to the laudable project.
Other dignitaries at the event include representatives from Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Nigeria Police, Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency(OYRTMA) and presentations were made by Whole Planet Initiatives and Society for Peace Studies and Practice. Student from different secondary schools also were in attendance.