By Aisha Gambo
Women leaders in Kaduna State have been urged to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence to prevent conflicts.
Legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Sarah Kajere, made the call on Tuesday during a two-day interfaith leadership workshop.
The workshop focused on human rights, transitional justice and democratic stability among women leaders.
It was organised by the Interfaith Media Centre (IMC), with support from the German Embassy Abuja.
The event brought together women leaders from various religious and community groups across Kaduna State.
Kajere urged Muslim and Christian women to collaborate in strengthening harmony and understanding among residents.
She said women had a vital role in preventing violence and encouraging peaceful relationships.
“Hate speech, verbal abuse and misrepresentation of religion often create tensions and divisions,” Kajere said.
She advised parents to discourage children from insulting others or attacking different religious beliefs.
“Even if a religion is not yours, you should not insult it or describe it as bad,” she said.
Kajere added that communities must unite and reject hostility, saying peace remained better than conflict.
“Living together peacefully is better than fighting, insults and hostility,” she said.
She also warned residents against sharing inflammatory content capable of causing religious or communal tensions.
Kajere encouraged citizens to promote calmness and help de-escalate conflicts during sensitive situations.
Speaking on human rights, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Rights and Empowerment Foundation, Maryam Abdu, a lawyer, urged rights awareness.
Abdu said citizens must understand their constitutional rights to identify and challenge violations.
“If we do not know our rights, how do we know when they are violated?” she asked.
She noted that Nigeria had signed international agreements and domesticated some through national legislation.
However, Abdu said the challenge remained effective implementation of existing laws and policies.
She encouraged Nigerians to seek legal support whenever their fundamental rights were infringed.
Participants praised the initiative, promising to share lessons with their communities.
Wasila Adam said the workshop strengthened her ability to support victims of rights abuses.
“Wherever we find someone’s rights abused, we will stand up until justice is served,” Adam said.
Another participant, Rev. Mathias Yashim, described the programme as eye-opening and beneficial.
Yashim said human rights awareness affected women and society at large. (NAN)
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