Conflict Experts Call For Training Of Young Women On Peacebuilding

Conflict resolution and peace building experts have reiterated the importance of training and equipping young women peace builders as part of peace structures and campaign through mentorship.
The experts spoke at a two day national youth forum on intergenerational peacebuilding organized by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)- Nigeria in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and Global Affairs Canada with the theme: ‘Mentoring the Next Generation of Women Peacebuilders’.
Speakers at the virtual forum affirmed the need for the older peacebuilding practitioners to mentor young women peacebuilders for the task ahead.
In her welcome address, national network coordinator, WANEP-Nigeria, Dr. Bridget Osakwe said to build peace structures and peace campaigns in Nigeria, it is imperative to harness the potential of young women peacebuilding in activities, a reason for the meeting.
According to her, the forum will promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration among young women peacebuilders and more seasoned 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.
Said she: “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”.
In her remarks, WANEP-Nigeria head of program, Mrs Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo said the meeting is targeted at increased understanding and cooperation between young women peacebuilders and established practitioners to contribute to a broader and enriched perspective on the implementation of the WPS and YPS resolutions in Nigeria.
“Since 2021 the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP Nigeria) has been partnering on the project ‘Localization of the Women, Peace and Security Resolutions in Nigeria’, supported by the Global Affairs Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operation Program (PSOP),” she explained.
A peace building expert, Dr Emem Okon in her presentation on, ‘Building Self-confidence and the Act of Leadership’ explained that self-confidence instigates positive energy in youths enabling them to take action for personal and professional aspirations.
“Self-confidence is the act of believing in oneself or being certain that one can control any situation or circumstances by his/herself. It is trusting in yourself, your judgments, capabilities and abilities to achieve, impact or make possible, and being in control of your attitude, behavior, and life generally”. She told the young women.
Dr Okon urged the young leaders to develop, self-confidence, be assertive, appreciative, humble, fearless, calm, be willing to help others, bold to ask for help, secured enough to admit a weakness” as part of characteristics needed in their endeavours.
The peace actor added that building self-confidence is a process that cannot be acquired overnight and advised the young to follow through the processes.
Building self-confidence said entails “avoiding comparing self with others; commitment to personal growth; facing your fears and getting out of your comfort zones; practice saying positive things to yourself; and surrounding yourself with positive minded people”.
She said in leadership, self-confidence extends beyond personal positivity, and involves the ability to confront challenges, make tough decisions and inspire others to follow suit.
Dr Okon outlined the following as determinants of leadership confidence: communication, decision making, relationship building skills, influence, etc.
In 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 is 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.
“In the same vein, self-awareness allows young women peacebuilders to authentically recognize and accept their strengths and weaknesses. By recognizing their strengths and accepting their limitations, they develop the confidence and resilience that will carry them forward on their peacebuilding journey. At the core of self-awareness is matching personal values with professional goals.
“Self-awareness is a journey of introspection and reflection, guiding individuals to explore the depths of their being and unravel the intricacies of their identity. For young women peacebuilders in Nigeria, understanding self is not merely a philosophical pursuit but a practical necessity in their quest for empowerment and social change,” she added.