USAID has said it is collaborating with Katsina State Government to accelerate the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the State Action Plan on Women Peace and Security.

To achieve the objective, a two-day capacity building workshop was organised in Katsina for participants from Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

The training was through the USAID-funded Community Initiatives to Promote Peace project, being implemented by Mercy Corps.

Country Director, Mercy Corps Nigeria, Ndubisi Anyanwu, said the training was organised to equip participants with knowledge on WPS pillars and priorities.

He said, “It’s also to equip them on sexual, gender-based violence prevention, response, measures, strategies for facilitating synergy and improving coherent collaboration among WPS actors, especially women, government, CSOs and private sector.

“Institutional capacity strengthening in the operationalisation, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of WPS agenda is necessary to ensure sustainable gender mainstreaming and unlock the leadership potential of women in peace building.”

According to him, Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation, operating across more than 40 countries to promote, secure, ensure inclusive, peaceful and prosperous societies.

The CIPP Deputy Chief of Party, Amina Akano-Bello, said the localisation of the WPS agenda was necessary to ensure the meaningful representation and participation of women.

She added that it was also to amplify their voices in addressing gender dynamics that perpetuate conflict and inequalities, as well as harnessing opportunities to sustain peace and stability.

Ms Akano-Bello said the CIPP programme, funded by USAID, “works with communities to address the root causes of conflict, and build inclusive and sustainable peace structures.”

She added that since 2019, the project had been implementing interventions and activities targeted at deepening engagement of diverse women in conflict prevention, peace building and adopting innovative strategies to advance the WPS agenda in Nigeria.

According to her, as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in Katsina State and Nigeria, the role of women in peace and security is critical.

The Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, commended the implementing partners for what he described as a good work in Katsina.

Mr Tarfa-Ugbe, represented by Tamwakat Elizabeth-Golit, made a presentation on the implementation of the WPS agenda.

He pointed out that continental result framework was created to overcome gaps in the WPS agenda of monitoring and reporting systems, adding that it was also meant to lessen obstacles in women’s full participation in peace building processes.

The director noted that the purpose of the session was to make sure that knowledge and skills of stakeholders were enhanced to utilise the ECOWAS simplified CRF as a streamlined version adopted for use in West Africa, including Nigeria.

He said, “There is need to ensure meaningful participation and representation of women in peace and security decision making processes, and create an enabling environment for women to engage in governance.’’

Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Musawa, said the training underscored their collective commitment to advancing gender equality, promoting peace, and enhancing security within communities.

According to her, the overall leadership for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Katsina State Action Plan on WPS lies on women affairs ministry.

“This is in line with the objectives of Governor Dikko Radda’s agenda. Through my ministry, similar efforts are being made to integrate women in all aspects of governance and ensure their security, stability and progress,” she said.

(NAN)