Group trains Katsina women, youths on peace building

Women and youth from four local government areas in Katsina State are participating in a four-day training program designed to enhance their capacity for conflict prevention, dispute resolution, and community resource management. This initiative addresses growing pressures over land, water, and other shared resources in the region.

The training, which commenced on Monday in Katsina, is part of the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience Programme. It is being implemented collaboratively by the International Organisation for Migration, Mercy Corps, and the Centre for Democracy and Development. The program brings together diverse community representatives, including farmers and herders, women and youth leaders, and individuals with disabilities from Safana, Faskari, Sabuwa, and Dandume local government areas.

Senior Programme Manager at Mercy Corps, Philip Ikita, explained that the approach aims to shift communities from confrontation towards identifying common interests for peaceful dispute settlement. He highlighted the importance of equipping women, who are often directly impacted by conflicts but underrepresented in formal peace processes, with practical negotiation skills. "The objective is to build the capacity of community women to manage and resolve local conflicts through negotiation approaches that focus on shared interests rather than opposing positions," Ikita stated.

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The objective is to build the capacity of community women to manage and resolve local conflicts through negotiation approaches that focus on shared interests rather than opposing positions.

The training is expected to improve participants' communication and negotiation abilities, foster trust and collaboration among communities, and strengthen their capacity to address resource-based disputes. A second component focuses on Community and Social Development Resource Management, emphasizing sustainable and conflict-sensitive management of land, water, forests, and other shared resources. This aims to equip communities with the knowledge and tools for managing these resources effectively.

This intervention is particularly relevant in areas where competition over natural resources can exacerbate tensions between farmers, herders, and other users. The resource management component specifically seeks to enhance women's ability to identify and respond to climate and resource-related conflicts, improve understanding of sustainable resource management, and promote collaboration for conservation and peacebuilding. The broader CPCRR Programme covers 48 communities across the state.

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The objective is to equip communities with the knowledge and tools to manage shared community and social development resources in a sustainable and conflict-sensitive way.