Pulse.ng : GAT Trains Community Peace Structures on Gender-Inclusive Peacebuilding in Zangon Kataf

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

An NGO, Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), has continued its training for community peace structures on gender-inclusive peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

With support from the SPRiNG Programme, an initiative of the UK Government, the training, which was held at Kanyim Hotel, Kurmin-Bi, Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state, seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of gender equity, inclusive peace building, and local conflict prevention mechanisms.

The three-day Gender-Inclusive Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Training for Community Peace Structures, brought together key stakeholders, community leaders, women peacebuilders, youth representatives, and persons with disabilities to strengthen inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts at the grassroots level.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that it aligned with Nigeria’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) framework and supports the implementation of the Kaduna and Katsina State Action Plans (KADSAP II and KATSAP II), which aim to mainstream the participation of women and persons with disabilities in peace and security processes.

Speaking at the opening session, the Executive Director of GAT, Dr Lydia Umar, emphasised that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalised groups in decision-making and community peace structures.

Umar, represented by Mr Tukura Bege Andrew explained that the training was designed to empower community peace actors with the tools, confidence, and knowledge they needed to prevent conflict, promote dialogue, and build bridges across divides.

"Sustainable peace begins when all voices are heard and valued,” she stated.

NAN reports that throughout the three-day training, participants were engaged in interactive sessions covering key thematic areas such as gender and peacebuilding, which explored the link between gender equality and sustainable peace.

Conflict prevention and early warning systems were also discussed, focusing on strengthening local mechanisms for identifying and addressing potential conflicts before escalation.

Inclusive peacebuilding approaches were explored, promoting the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in community peacebuilding structures.

In addition, sessions on advocacy for inclusive peacebuilding enhanced participants’ capacity to influence policies and practices that foster inclusion.

The training methodology combined interactive presentations, group discussions, role-playing, simulations, and experiential learning exercises to ensure practical understanding, peer learning, and local ownership of peacebuilding processes.

The methods, helped participants build confidence in applying inclusive strategies in their communities.

At the end of the programme, participants formed a 10-member Advocacy Committee and developed a two-month advocacy plan to drive community-level actions that promote inclusivity, prevent conflict, and strengthen local peace structures in Kaduna and Katsina States.

The initiative, underscored the shared commitment of Gender Awareness Trust and the SPRiNG Programme to advancing gender-responsive and disability-inclusive peacebuilding processes that are community-led, participatory, and sustainable.

By equipping local actors with the knowledge and tools to engage meaningfully, the training contributes to building a more peaceful, inclusive, and equitable society, NAN reports.(NAN)