“From basic social connections, civic duty, business and enterprise, and governance – everything becomes an extension of the peace that begins in the home. Thus, the home is the first, most natural place to begin our work to realize this dream of peace and mutual prosperity.”
Dr. Jun Sook Moon
Global Peace Leadership Conference Africa 2024
In recent months, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, in partnership with Global Peace Women (GPW) Nigeria and local organizations, has spearheaded several significant initiatives aimed at fostering peace, empowering women, and enhancing community cohesion across Kaduna State. These events emphasize the crucial role of women as peacebuilders, leaders, and agents of change, particularly within the family unit. The workshops and programs have addressed themes of nonviolent communication, economic empowerment, and family-focused peace advocacy, with the overarching goal of nurturing peaceful, resilient communities.
1. Nonviolent Communication and Leadership Skills for Women and Youth
In September 2024, GPF Nigeria was a main partner in organizing a two-day capacity-building workshop for women and youth leaders in the Hayin Banki community. The workshop, themed “Nonviolent Communication and Leadership Skills,” sought to equip participants with essential tools for conflict resolution and responsible leadership. This initiative aligned with the core mantra of GPW Nigeria, “Peace Begins in the Home,” encouraging participants to adopt nonviolent communication as a strategy for resolving disputes and fostering peace within families and communities.
Speakers delivered inspiring talks on the pivotal role women play in peacebuilding, building strong family foundations, instilling integrity in children, and prioritizing self-care.
Participants applied the lessons on nonviolent communication during the workshop itself. One woman successfully de-escalated a potential altercation between local youth, using the techniques she had learned. This demonstrated the immediate applicability of the skills being taught and the transformative impact they had on individuals and their communities.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among women leaders in the community, who left committed to implementing the principles of peacebuilding within their homes and local environments.
2. Economic Empowerment for Women with Disabilities
In October 2024, GPF Nigeria and GPW Nigeria organized a groundbreaking event aimed at empowering women with disabilities in Kaduna State. Held at Arewa House, the economic empowerment program provided over 90 women with disabilities from diverse backgrounds the tools to become more financially independent. The initiative focused on financial literacy, small business resources, and combating societal stigmatization. The goal was to support these women in overcoming barriers to economic participation and create opportunities for self-reliance.
The country director of GPF Nigeria opened the event by emphasizing the importance of empowering women with disabilities, stating that such empowerment was essential for achieving independence and dignity. Speakers highlighted the theme of peacebuilding, urging the women to use their voices against violence and contribute to fostering peaceful communities.
The impact of the program was evident in the heartfelt testimonies of participants. Women expressed their gratitude for the tangible support they received, which they believed would improve their livelihoods. A visually impaired participant was especially thankful for both the financial aid and the business knowledge imparted, which would help her transition from begging to running a small business.
This initiative focused on immediate empowerment and called for long-term structural changes to support people with disabilities. GPF Nigeria representatives urged the government and civil society organizations to prioritize the needs of this marginalized group, combat dehumanization, and foster inclusive environments where everyone could thrive.
3. Empowering Families for Community Peace Advocacy
Another key event gathered over 120 women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds gathered at the Epitome Hotel Event Centre in Barnawa, Kaduna. This one-day event, organized by GPW Nigeria in collaboration with GPF Nigeria, was titled “Empowering Families for Community Peace Advocacy” and focused on strengthening families as the foundation for peaceful communities.
The program reinforced the idea that peace begins in the home, a theme central to GPW Nigeria’s mission. Distinguished speakers emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in peace advocacy, urging women to take up their roles as peacebuilders and active participants in creating harmonious homes that would, in turn, contribute to societal peace.
The event also included practical workshops where participants developed action plans to continue peace advocacy in their communities. These plans included activities like interfaith visitations, girl-child empowerment initiatives, and peace campaigns in places of worship. The women left the event motivated and committed to carrying the message of peace forward, confident in their ability to nurture peaceful environments both within their families and communities.
Conclusion: A Movement for Lasting Change
Through these initiatives, GPF Nigeria and GPW Nigeria have made significant strides in empowering women to be leaders in peacebuilding and societal development. The capacity-building workshops, economic empowerment programs, and family-focused peace advocacy events all highlight the importance of equipping women with the skills, resources, and support they need to shape more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient communities.
The collaborations between these organizations and local groups serve as powerful examples of how grassroots movements can foster meaningful, sustainable change. By investing in women and promoting nonviolent communication, economic empowerment, and family cohesion, GPF Nigeria and GPW Nigeria are not only addressing immediate challenges but also contributing to long-term peacebuilding efforts in Kaduna State and beyond.
These initiatives display a broader movement to promote peace, inclusivity, and resilience across Nigeria. As more women take on leadership roles and advocate for peaceful, empowered communities, the vision of a more peaceful and prosperous society becomes increasingly achievable.
The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation. Read more about GPF’s work with Families and Women in Peacebuilding.