Financial literacy has been identified as one of the key elements of women empowerment. Apart from producing financially independent, self reliant and productive women who can contribute to the development of society, it is considered a veritable tool for gender inclusivity and sustainable peace.
This was disclosed during a 2-day workshop organized by Yitkim Leah Datong, a Legal Practitioner and Gender Rights Activists, who is a 2023/2024 Fellow of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) Fellowship Programme.
The two-day workshop tagged “The Firefly Effect” with the theme ‘Mobilizing Young Women to Contribute Their Brightness to Peace Building Efforts’ held on Friday 12th January 2024 at Crispan Hotel, Jos. It is part of the requirement for the fulfillment of the requirement for the completion of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) program.
In her welcoming address, Yitkim Datong noted that “In this light, my partners and I, seek to mobilize each tiny light to contribute to a greater brightness. It is our sincere desire to empower the unique young women in this room by highlighting their strengths and abilities which will collectively create a brighter, more peaceful, community” she said.
Yitkim added that “It is our conviction that every small action and every flicker of light contributes to a collective brilliance that transcends boundaries and brings forth positive change so as we embark on this journey, let us celebrate the strength within diversity and the resilience that defines our shared humanity. Let the “The Firefly Effect” not be just a project; but a movement, a commitment to fostering empowerment, equality, and peace”.
She also added that the powerful nature of women in the society prompted her to organise the event in order to equip them with the requisite financial knowledge so that they will take the message to their various communities. She noted that the society is the reflection of the family, adding that a powerful society is made of powerful families, hence the pivotal role of young women in the families strategically positions them to effect the needed interventions in facilitating peace building.
In his remark, the Executive Director, International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice Mr Ishaya Inuwa who was represented by organisation’s Programs Manager Mr Sam Odeh echoed the importance of mobilizing women to be part of leadership and peacebuilding. He commended the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) and the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice for supporting Yitkims Datong to successfully host the workshop, stressing that the event was timely given the important role of women can play in leadership and Nation building.
One of the participants who spoke to journalists at the event Miss Mariam Ibrahim said that she was optimistic that at the end of the workshop she would learnt about the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity, as well as the tools to deploy in conflict resolution. She described young women as the backbone of the society hence the need to know the role they play to facilitate peace at the grassroot involving their younger ones and parents.
On her part another participant, Blessing Chidinma O, while also speaking to journalists expressed optimism that she was going to learn how to practically contribute to peace. She noted that because of societal restrictions placed on women, they are unable to unleashed their full potentials. She said that the workshop was timely stressing that it afforded her the opportunity to learn how to utilize her capacity as a women starting from her family to contribute to the peace building process.
The event which was powered by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) and the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice (PSJ) targeted young women below the ages of 45 years. Following a public call for applications, the workshop received over 500 applications and after rigorous sorting, 70 participants made it to final list of successful participants. The participants after taking part in the 2-day event are expected to become change agents equipped with the capacity and knowledge needed to become advocates of peace in their communities.
Nigeria Star News 