Global Rights on Thursday convened a town hall meeting in Kano to examine women’s participation in peacebuilding and access to justice in the state.
The meeting brought together community leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, journalists and traditional institutions.
The engagement is part of the third phase of the project titled “Strengthening Pathways to Inclusive Peacebuilding Processes and Expanding Access to Justice for Marginalized Groups in North-West Nigeria,” funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The project is implemented in collaboration with The Kukah Center, Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and the Centre for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV).
Executive Director of Global Rights, Ms Abiodun Baiyewu, said the meeting aimed to create a platform for discussing the inclusion of women and minorities in peacebuilding, security and justice in Kano State.
She said the forum also reviewed the work of Community Dialogue Committees (CDCs) and assessed approaches that could strengthen inclusion and community security.
According to her, “meaningful peace cannot be achieved when half of the population is excluded from decision-making and leadership in areas of peace and security.”
Presentations were delivered by key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Kawo Community Dialogue Committee, Muhammad Nura Kabir, who spoke on creating platforms for women’s inclusion and community resilience.
Also speaking, the Chair of the Board of Directors of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Dr. Zubaida Ahmad Nagee, discussed women’s inclusion and access to justice in promoting peace and security.
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, was represented by the Falakin Kano, Mukhtar Ibrahim Bello, who restated the Emirate’s commitment to women’s participation in peacebuilding.
He said the Emir “supports initiatives that empower women to contribute to peace and development in their homes, communities and the state at large.”
He added that the Emirate would continue to back activities that promote peace in Kano.
The project seeks to expand women’s involvement in peacebuilding, improve community resilience and support access to justice for marginalised groups in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states. It leverages structures such as the Community Dialogue Committees, comprising security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders and civil society groups working to address grassroots security concerns.
It also incorporates the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS), which provides free legal aid and case management services to detainees, survivors and vulnerable individuals.
The meeting was attended by officials of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, legal practitioners, civil society actors and community members.
According to the organisers, the project has recorded progress in strengthening the capacity of women to participate in decision-making processes.
