These are some photos of the International Women’s Day celebration in Kaduna, Nigeria.
It was organized by some URI Cooperation Circles, in partnership with other organizations. They marched along the streets of the city, proclaiming that they will boldly march for peaceful change.
Also in commending the women, I spoke on the need to boldly initiate peace activities in the troubled area of Southern Kaduna as part of the peace process in the State and the area. Congrats to all Women in URI and beyond as you raise your voices today!
Peace on Earth!
Honorable Elisha Buba Yero
URI Global Council Trustee
Jos, Nigeria
Report from Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna:
The International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women's Day, is a day set aside by the UN for women’s rights and international peace, which celebrate the achievement of women throughout history. Specifically, it is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishment of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
According to the UN, only 50% of working age women are represented in the labor force worldwide, compared to 76% of men. An overwhelming majority of women are in the informal economy and domestic work. In Nigeria, women are concentrated in lower paid, lower-skill occupations with little or no social protection. Achieving gender equality in the global workforce is imperative for sustainable development. The theme for International Women's Day 2017 which held on 8 March is #BeBoldForChange.
As part of its activities to mark the International Women’s Day, the Interfaith Mediation Centre, in collaboration with Generation for Peace, United Religious Initiative, Human Right Education Network, I Care Women and Youth Initiative, Women Interfaith Women Peace Network and Forum for Cities in Transition, organized a peace rally to celebrate women all over the world. The event started at exactly 9.24am at the conference Hall of IMC where all the participants were welcomed by the Women Coordinator of IMC on Islamic Matters, Hajiya Ramatu.
She encouraged women to use their strength of numbers to fight for their rights in a male-dominated world to achieve their aim of gender equality and to stop violation and rape against women. The Executive Director of the Centre and Chief of Party of the Tolerance project (Dr. James Movel Wuye), in his speech, urged the women to be more bold and visible in their pursuit of peace. A member of the board of Directors, E.B. Yero, in his address, also congratulated the women on this day and urged them to be positive change agents. He also empathized greatly on the role of women in peace-building and the importance of a strong women network in society.
The IMC’s women’s department used the opportunity to call for peace and peaceful resolution to the violent crisis in Southern Kaduna. They also encouraged the women to report issues of violence against them to CPAN hub to help break the silence and find a lasting solution to issues that affect women.
In a message in support of International Women's Day, other guest speakers commented on how women are being marginalised, and the need for women at all levels to be empowered so that their voices would be heard and rights upheld.
Hajiya Mariam Abdu (Program Manager at IMC) gave a vote of thanks and encouraged women to be strong and ensure their voice is heard. The event ended at 12:05pm.
