#IWantToBe: Empowering Women for Peace in Nigeria

A special message from Safiya Ibn Garba, Generations For Peace International Programmes Manager (and former volunteer from Nigeria):

"To all our donors and supporters, thank you. Thank you for showing you care and supporting the efforts to strengthen our capacity in building peaceful communities in Nigeria. Your generous support will enable us do more and the more we can do, the better chance we have for future generations to live and thrive in more peaceful societies. As we continue this journey, we look forward to your continuous support; because of you; we can be and we will be.”

Thanks to your support, the Generations For Peace Women's Empowerment for Peace Programme in Kaduna, Nigeria has completed 12 sessions with 30 women. Sessions have included different kinds of skills training and advocacy as well as town hall meetings with community leaders. Participants are now using the vocational skills learned in their training sessions, which promotes alternative incomes that can reduce the economic pressures that may result in communities resorting to violence.

As a sign of increased local empowerment, female volunteers and participants are now invited to air their views on community decisions with community leaders. The programme has also led to a Sports For Peace programme in the same communities, which has facilitated access to other target groups within the selected communities, enabling strong peace building movements to emerge across a wide section of the community. 

Thank you again for your support, and stay tuned for more updates soon!