Hate speech, the rising cost of living, threats, and the unusual movement of suspicious persons have been identified as early warning signs of conflict.
A cross-section of women from Mgbirichi Autonomous Community and Umuokanne Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area made this known during a two-day capacity-building training for women groups and women with disabilities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area. The training was organized by the Communal Care Centre and held at DePull Over Hotel, Obinze in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Communal Care Centre is implementing the Renewed Women Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project in Imo State, a two-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
The women also identified increased domestic and gender-based violence, as well as the high unemployment rate as factors contributing to conflict in society.
They noted that the knowledge gained from the training would enable them to act before violence escalates, adding that the programme had empowered them to take coordinated action before violent incidents occur.
In an interview, the Woman Leader of Mgbirichi Autonomous Community Lolo Anthonia Ekenta alongside Mrs. Ucheoma Ikegwuruka advocated the inclusion of women including women with disabilities in community affairs and called for sustained economic empowerment for them.
They promised to embrace genuine peace-building efforts, describing them as key to achieving peaceful homes and communities.
The Woman Leader of Umuokanne Autonomous Community Mrs. Nwosu Dominica and the Secretary of Umuokanne Women Association Mrs. Blessing Enyinna said the training had taught them that dialogue remains a veritable platform for managing conflict. They promised to step down the training to their families and during their August meetings.
Earlier in his address, the Director of the Women Affairs Department, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare Mr. Austin Okoro expressed gratitude that women with disabilities were included in the programme.
Stressing the need for knowledge of the early warning signs of conflict, Mr. Okoro maintained that if families live in peace, communities and society at large would also be peaceful.
He appealed to the organizers of the programme to extend the intervention to other communities to promote a safer and more peaceful Imo State.
The Executive Director of Communal Care Centre Mrs. Collette Bennett urged the women to put into practice all they had learnt and to speak out against harmful cultural norms, including widowhood practices in their communities.
She encouraged the women to always stand up for their rights and intensify efforts to ensure women’s inclusion in all community activities.
Mrs. Bennett also urged them to remain committed so as to achieve tangible outcomes before the programme ends in two years.
A resource person, Mr. Udochukwu Chukwu while delivering a lecture on the theme, “Early Warning and Early Response, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Inclusivity,” explained that while conflict is inevitable, violence is preventable. He urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the training to transform conflicts into opportunities for dialogue.
Another resource person, Juliet Okeiyi highlighted the role of women in peacebuilding, urging participants to educate their children, support dialogue, prevent violence, build community trust, encourage inclusion and promote tolerance.
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Stanley Okehie
Communications Officer, CCC
Communications Officer, CCC