By Khadija Kubau
Women from Rigasa and Nariya communities in Kaduna have been encouraged to take stronger roles in promoting peace, justice and community development during a community engagement marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.
The awareness programme, organised by the Kaduna State Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security (KADSAP II) in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), focused on strengthening women’s voices in peacebuilding and leadership.
The outreach, supported by Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) and the United Kingdom International Development, formed part of activities commemorating this year’s IWD theme: “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”
The event brought together women from the two communities to increase awareness of the Kaduna State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (KADSAP II) and promote their participation in community peace and development initiatives.
Speaking during the engagement, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Rabi Salisu, urged women to work collectively to advance peace while also improving their economic wellbeing.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Gender Affairs, Lami Usman, the commissioner encouraged women to form cooperative groups that could strengthen unity, improve access to development opportunities and enhance livelihoods.
She noted that women play a vital role in maintaining peace and stability in communities and should continue supporting each other in leadership and development efforts.
According to her, the formation of cooperatives would also promote transparency and accountability in the management of development support and financial assistance provided to women’s groups.
Earlier, Halima Ibrahim of Gender Awareness Trust said the organisation focuses on gender rights advocacy and peacebuilding, especially among marginalised communities.
She explained that the engagement was aimed at sensitising women on the KADSAP II framework and helping them understand their rights, responsibilities and roles in community leadership and peacebuilding.
Ibrahim added that the action plan provides mechanisms for women’s participation, protection and access to justice whenever their rights are violated.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Kaduna State, Bukola Ajao, highlighted the four pillars of the global Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
She identified the pillars as participation, protection, prevention and promotion, noting that they remain essential to strengthening women’s roles in peacebuilding and leadership.
Ajao explained that the outreach targeted Rigasa and Nariya because of their large populations and strong community networks that could help spread the message more widely.
Participants said the engagement had significantly improved their understanding of women’s rights and available mechanisms for reporting sexual and gender-based violence.
A participant from Nariya community, Bilkisu Hussaini, said many women previously had little awareness about International Women’s Day and the channels available for reporting abuse.
She expressed hope that the sensitization would encourage more women to speak out and seek help whenever their rights are violated.
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