By Ahmed Ahmed
The National Network of Women Mediators (NNWM) has advocated for the creation of a national mediators database to tap into the wealth of experience of women mediators in Nigeria and across Africa
This call was made by Prof. Joy Onyesoh, National Coordinator of the NNWM, during the Second Annual Forum of Women Mediators in Nigeria in Abuja with the theme “Women Leading Peace Building: Amplifying the Role of Nigerian Women Mediators.”
Onyesoh emphasized the need for a national database to facilitate the integration of state-level women mediation networks into national and regional networks of women mediators.
Oyeasoh, represented by Mrs Rita Kigbara, NNWM Secretary General, stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with donors and other women mediators across Africa.
According to Onyesoh, the database will provide a platform for women mediators to share their experiences, expertise, and best practices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
This, she believes, will enhance the capacity of women mediators to respond effectively to conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Onyesoh noted that women play a critical role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, but often face significant barriers to participation.
She emphasized the need for increased support and recognition of women’s contributions to peacebuilding, and for strengthened partnerships and collaboration among women mediators and other stakeholders.
In her remark The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting women’s mediation capacities, networks, and actions for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
She noted that the Annual Forum of Women Mediators is part of the Programme on Women Peace and Security in Nigeria (Phase II), implemented by UN Women with support from the Government of Norway and the Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria (Phase II), funded by the Government of Germany.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that the programme aims to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian women mediators and promote their leadership in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
The forum brought together women mediators from across Nigeria, as well as representatives from government, civil society, and international organizations.
It provided a platform for sharing experiences, expertise, and best practices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and for strengthening partnerships and collaboration among women mediators and other stakeholders.
The NNWM is a network of women mediators from across Nigeria, working to promote peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
The network provides a platform for women mediators to share their experiences, expertise, and best practices, and to strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.
