Women mediators in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State have taken their peacebuilding advocacy to the streets, sensitising residents on social challenges threatening community safety, peaceful coexistence and human well-being.
The grassroots outreach focused on issues including drug abuse, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), violence against women and girls, human trafficking, underage mining and the importance of child education.
During the engagement, the women mediators called on residents to take collective responsibility for addressing these challenges, stressing that building peaceful and safe communities requires the participation of everyone.
Carrying advocacy messages such as “Stop Violence Against Women and Girls” and “Our Differences Should Make Our Society Colourful, Not Dangerous,” the mediators encouraged community members to embrace diversity, protect vulnerable persons and reject all forms of violence and exploitation.
The initiative, facilitated through the Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative (WOPPI), with support from Nigeria SPRiNG and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen community-led peacebuilding and protection mechanisms.
It also highlights the importance of taking peace advocacy beyond workshops and meeting rooms to streets, schools, homes and other spaces where community members interact and make decisions that affect their collective well-being.
The organisers appreciated FCDO and SPRiNG for their support, noting the importance of sustained grassroots engagement in empowering women to contribute to peacebuilding, conflict prevention and community protection.
