Peacebuilding: International Alert inaugurates women mediators network in Sokoto 
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
An NGO, International Alert Nigeria has inaugurated Sokoto Women Mediators Network (SWMN) to strengthen peacebuilding and conflict prevention mechanisms across communities in Sokoto State.
The effort was a step toward promoting inclusive peacebuilding and strengthening women’s participation in conflict prevention.
SWMN was under the Resilience, Engagement, and ConflictPrevention for At-Risk Populations’ Protection in Sokoto State (RECAP Project) anchored by the RECAP Consortium that comprised International Alert, Action Against Hunger (ACF), Save the Child Initiative (STCI) and funded by the European Union.
The initiative seeks to create a sustainable
and state-owned platform that would harness leadership potential of women in mediation, dialogue, and peacebuilding across Sokoto state.
Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Hadiza Shagari, described the initiative as welcome development that would further enhance women participation and inclusiveness on peacebuilding building efforts.
Shagari, who was represented by Director Women in the ministry, Hajia Hauwa’u Umar-Jabo, reassured maximum support to the initiative and urged dejected women to live up to the expectations.
She emphasised that strengthening women-led mediation platforms would help address gender specific conflict drivers, improve inclusive dialogue, and build stronger community resilience against
violence and instability.
In his address, the Project Manager, International Alert Nigeria, Mr Sanusi Audu, said the initiative was conceived on the need to strengthen women’s voices in peace processes, particularly at the grassroots level where women often play critical but unrecognised roles in resolving disputes and fostering community cohesion.
“The network is designed to integrate into the national network, serving as a locally owned, independent platform that amplifies women’s leadership in conflict prevention, mediation,
and peacebuilding.
” As an organisation, we disrupt the cycle of
violence by promoting inclusive, conflict sensitive, and community centred justice systems,” Audu said.
He affirmed that the RECAP project was aimed at reducing conflict drivers and promote peaceful coexistence in Sokoto State through inclusive dialogue, women and youth empowerment, and equitable resource management.
He noted that the establishment of the women mediators network was a critical component of achieving these objectives sustainably.
The Project Manager added that the platform brought together 30 committed women mediators from diverse backgrounds, government institutions, justice sector actors, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners.
” It was to establish the Network’s governance structure, promote inclusive dialogue, and strengthen social cohesion in Sokoto state.
” International Alert is a peacebuilding organisation working around the world to lay the foundations for lasting peace in communities affected by violent conflict.
” Alert has been supporting peacebuilding and conflict prevention in Nigeria since 2011. These efforts have focused on contributing to greater social cohesion through, for example,
the reintegration of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence and children associated, ” he said.
Speaking also, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabi, described women empowerment and involvement in the decision making process as a panacea toward solving conflicts and rooting the inculcation of moral values in the society.
The event featured discussions on the network’s vision, mission, objectives, code of conduct and identified leadership structures and key working committees that will guide its operations moving forward.
Participants elected leaders for that network’s positions and inauguration was conducted and adopted the Network’s Terms of Reference, which incorporates strategies for cascading mediation and peacebuilding efforts across local government areas in the state.
