) The European Union (EU) has commenced a four-day training to strengthen the capacity of women and youth to prevent and resolve conflicts in Katsina communities.
The training is being implemented under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
The programme, which began with two-day Interest-Based Negotiation (IBN) training for women on Monday, is aimed at promoting dialogue, collaboration and peaceful resolution of local disputes.
Speaking at the event, Mercy Corps Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita said the training was expected to equip participants with practical skills to manage conflicts by focusing on shared interests rather than opposing positions.
According to him, the second phase, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, will focus on Community and Social Development Resource Management (CSDRM), with emphasis on sustainable and conflict-sensitive management of shared resources.
He explained that the training brought together farmers, herders, women and youth representatives, including persons with disabilities, from Safana, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Ikita added that the programme was designed to promote long-term peace, stability and socio-economic recovery across 48 communities in 10 local government areas of Zamfara and Katsina State.
”It builds on the successes of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and addresses the root causes of conflict while strengthening community resilience and socio-economic recovery.
”The intervention is designed to strengthen community mechanisms for conflict prevention and inclusive dialogue.
”Mercy Corps is implementing the programme in Batsari, Danmusa, Jibia, Kankara, Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa and Safana local government areas,” Ikita said.
According to him, the programme also supports community resilience to climate-related shocks and the implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in the targeted communities.
The IBN training is expected to improve participants’ communication and negotiation skills, strengthen collaboration and trust among communities, and enhance their ability to resolve resource-based disputes.
The CSDRM component will focus on equipping participants with knowledge and tools to sustainably manage resources such as land, water and forests while taking conflict sensitivity into account.
The training is also expected to strengthen women’s capacity to address climate- and resource-related conflicts, improve local resource mapping and promote collaboration on conservation and peacebuilding.
The CPCRR Programme seeks to promote inclusive, locally-led and sustainable approaches to peace-building and socio-economic stability in Northwest Nigeria.
A participant, Mrs Gambo Bature from Faskari LGA, said she expected the training to improve her negotiation and communication skills and enable her to contribute more effectively to resolving disputes in her community.
Similarly, Mr Abdurashid Sabi’u from Safana LGA, said he expected the training to provide him with practical approaches to conflict prevention and peaceful management of disputes involving young people and other community groups.(NAN)
