Stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja urged women to unite to promote peace and religious freedom to tackle religious persecution and violence in Nigeria.
They made the call during the FoRB Leadership Training with a theme,” Women Uniting for Religious Freedom and Peace in Nigeria, organised by Empower Women Media under the Live What you Believe (LWY)project.
Rafatu Abdulhamid,Professor of Islamic studies and Program Coordinator, Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja, noted the pivotal role women play in the society.
“We need to understand that everyone in the universe, not only in Nigeria can profess his or her own choice of religion without bias.
“So we should have avoid hearsay. Sometimes we say so many bad things about each other’s religion, so much so that it ferment trouble. It creates intolerance amongst us,” she said.
Prof. Rafatu, therefore encouraged women to educate the society, especially children and their spouses on the need for peaceful and harmonious tolerance amongst the diverse people in the society.
Dr Gloria Puldu, Founder, Leadership Empowerment Advocacy Humanitarian (LEAH) Foundation, advocated that the rights of women and girls be protected, as they were usually the victims of violence in the society.
Puldu, also a Lecturer at the Political Science Department, University of Jos, said: “We are advocating that every woman, man and person be allowed to practice and given the opportunity to respect and protect the rights of others who are practicing a different religions from them.
“We are here to educate women so that they can advocate for themselves and speak to their communities, train their children on peaceful coexistence,” she said.
Mr Joseph Samari, Country Coordinator, LWY, said the training was to empower women leaders with skills on freedom of religion or belief, how they can use the the knowledge to promote religious freedom.
“Women have always been at the receiving end of violations of freedom of religion or belief.
“And so we have seen cases where the society will like to decide for a woman as to what religion she should belong to.
“But with a good knowledge of freedom of religion or belief, every woman is empowered and able to ask for her rights as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Tony Ojulwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by Bem Kurugh, Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, stressed the need to respect the rights of everyone to promote peace.
Ms Habiba Ghazali, Senior Project Officer, Search for Common Ground, stressed the need for dialogue, community engagement and the media to promote religious freedom.
Mrs Daliya Marcus, a survivor of religious intolerance living in Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, stressed the need for men and boys to be sensitised on religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.
Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, FCT Chairperson, Media Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), highlighted the role of Media as a tool for religious tool as it shapes perceptions, interactions and understanding of one another.
Other highlights were panel discussions, training sessions and video highlighting the need for religious freedom in Nigeria.