Hajiya Amina Ahmed, Executive Director of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Development (WISCOD), has called on women to adopt innovative advocacy and engagement strategies to create lasting change in their communities. Speaking at a Women’s Summit in Jos on Thursday, November 14, Ahmed emphasized the need for strategic thinking and intentional planning to amplify women’s contributions to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and peacebuilding efforts.
“Women must come up with ideas that will allow their communities to accept the changes they believe in,” Ahmed said. “Strategic thinking and collaboration with policymakers are essential to driving community development and enhancing women’s participation.”
The summit, organized by The Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) with support from CAFOD and Mensen Met Mense under the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA), brought together women leaders, activists, and stakeholders for two days of discussions. Held at Novel Suites and Resort in Rayfield, Jos, the event aimed to empower women’s voices and strengthen their roles in advancing human rights and fostering social cohesion.
The event featured sessions addressing the intersection of women’s rights and FoRB. Barr. Jumai Henrietta Danuk Tadi, Executive Director of the Victor Dielat Memorial Foundation, highlighted the legal challenges women face in exercising their rights.
“Cultural and religious barriers, deeply rooted in our patriarchal society, limit women’s ability to assert their FoRB rights,” Tadi noted. She called for a review of outdated laws, education for religious and cultural leaders, and stronger enforcement of human rights principles.
Mrs. Patience Danat from the Cultural Centre Jos, while delivering a paper on Navigating Cultural Practices: Challenges and Opportunities for Promoting Women’s Rights and FoRB, also urged parents to prioritize equal educational opportunities for girls and boys. She decried cultural norms that justify violence against women and called for empowering women to take leadership roles to promote peace and social progress.
Habila Muhammad Kudu, Project Officer at DIWA, lauded the summit as a pivotal moment for advancing gender equality and fostering peaceful coexistence. He emphasized the importance of inclusive discussions involving government officials, security agencies, and women leaders from various sectors.
“This summit creates an avenue for women to engage meaningfully in conversations about FoRB and peacebuilding, ultimately leading to actionable plans for societal transformation,” Kudu said.
Participants, including Halima Sale Ibrahim, a woman with a disability, praised the organizers for promoting inclusivity. “Such initiatives empower women with better advocacy approaches and ensure we are not left behind,” she stated.
The summit concluded with focus group discussions where participants shared experiences, challenges, and recommendations. Key outcomes included:
– Prioritizing women’s leadership in decision-making processes.
– Strengthening advocacy efforts through partnerships with policymakers.
– Promoting education and awareness on FoRB and women’s rights.
The Women’s Summit 2024, themed “Empowering Voices and Advancing Women’s Rights within Faith and Society,” underscored the vital role of women in shaping inclusive and harmonious communities. By equipping women with tools for advocacy and engagement, the event set the stage for meaningful progress in addressing gender equality and promoting sustainable peace.
