Pulse.ng : Empowering women's voices, key to promoting peace, religious freedom

By Sani Idris

Mrs Hannatu Ahuwan, the Acting Executive Director of Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LAWN), has said that empowering women's voices is key to promoting peace and religious freedom.

Ahuwan said this on Wednesday in Kaduna while delivering a keynote address at a Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) women's summit 2024.

The summit, was organised by The Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) with support from CAFOD and Mensen Met Mense under the JISRA.

The theme of the 2-day summit is "Empowering voices and advancing women's rights within faith and societies".

According to her, women have historically been agents of change and pillars of peace in their communities, mediating conflicts and promoting tolerance and respect for diverse beliefs.

Ahuwan however, lamented that in spite of women's natural role, they are often excluded from decision-making processes, particularly in areas affecting religious freedom and peace building.

She noted that women, especially those from minority religious backgrounds face compounded challenges due to their gender and faith or beliefs.

"Women having a voice, or having a place at the decision-making table and being involved in leadership are elements of women’s empowerment," she said.

She emphasised that sustainable peace can not be achieved without the active and equal participation of women.

"It is time to move beyond rhetoric and put in place policies that reflect the vital role women play in promoting tolerance, dialogue, and understanding across religious divides," she said.

Earlier, Mr Daoda Kanneh, the CEO of DIWA emphasised the essential role of women in promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and peace in the society.

Kanneh said DIWA is committed to addressing critical issues affecting vulnerable communities in area of education, health, water, capacity-building, and good governance.

He noted that the JISRA project is implemented across 10 Local Government Areas and 25 communities in Kaduna and Plateau States, aiming to promote FoRB and reduce discrimination and marginalisation based on differences in religion and belief.

"The project has leveraged the role of various actors across different religions and demographics to promote an inclusive, tolerant, and harmonious society in Nigeria.

"The theme reflects the commitment to empowering women as leaders and change-makers.The summit is a call to action, a platform for amplifying women's voices, and a commitment to advancing gender equality within societies and faith communities,"he said.

Mr Jude Likita, JISRA Nigeria Country Coordinator, said the NGO's global partnership of over 50 civil society organisations works in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda, supported by advocacy efforts in Europe and the USA.

He explained that the international, interfaith partnership running a five-year program (2021-2025) funded by the Dutch government is focused on promoting peaceful and just societies where FoRB is respected and upheld.

Likita said JISRA operates within religious communities to challenge harmful narratives and promote open tolerant practices and build bridges between different religious communities to foster dialogue, address common grievances, and promote peaceful coexistence.

He equally said they : collaborate with decision-makers to influence policies and practices that protect and advance FoRB and other fundamental rights.

According to him, the approach seeks to challenge harmful ideologies, nurture interfaith harmony, and create sustainable policy changes that protect religious freedoms and advance human rights.

"In Nigeria, JISRA collaborates with DIWA, Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP), Federation of Muslim Women's Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM), RURCON, Scripture Union of West Africa (SUWA), and the Women Interfaith Council (WIC),"he said.

In a goodwill message, the Agom Kufana Chiefdom, MR. Titus Dauda, said the empowerment of women and the advancement of their rights with in both our faith and social structures is critical to societal progress.

He stated that the summit's theme resonates deeply with the core values of traditional leadership and community.

"This gathering is a powerful testament to the strength, wisdom, and resilience of women, and it reflects the growing recognition of their crucial role in shaping the future of our society," he said.

According to him, being traditional leaders positioned them uniquely to support women in ways that amplify their voices, respect their rights, and foster an environment where they can thrive.

"In our chiefdom, and indeed across many of our communities, it is imperative that we begin with a clear understanding. The strength of any society is found in the strength of its women.

"Their voices, contribution and their rights are not only foundational to the fabric of our society but are also a reflection of our collective humanity and commitment to justice.

"We, as traditional leaders, must take deliberate actions to ensure that women

are not just heard, but that their voices are valued and amplified,"Dauda said.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN), reports that the summit brought together policymakers, security actors, traditional and religious leaders, and women's rights advocates.

It featured discussions and collaborative sessions, panels sessions, highlighting women's pivotal role in advancing FoRB, human rights, and sustainable peace.