By Ahmed Ali, Kafanchan
Young girls of Zaria, Zone 1 of Kaduna State have been trained in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to enable them mediate conflicts among their peers and promote peaceful coexistence in their communities.
The training was organised by the Zaria Justice and Peace Circle (Z1JPC) under a project titled, “Strengthening Women Interfaith Leadership for Human Rights Protection, Transitional Justice and Promoting Democratic Stability in Kaduna State.”
The programme was supported by the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) and the German Embassy in Abuja.
The training aimed at equipping the participants with practical skills to resolve disputes peacefully, promote interfaith harmony, protect human rights and contribute to democratic stability within their communities.
During the programme, participants were introduced to the concepts of conflict and peace, with emphasis on the difference between conflict and violence, as well as common sources of conflict among young people.
The participants were also encouraged to recognise the role young girls can play as peacebuilders in schools, youth groups and their communities.
The training further introduced participants to key ADR approaches, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration, while highlighting qualities required of effective mediators such as active listening, neutrality, empathy and patience.
Practical sessions were also conducted, during which participants engaged in role-plays involving school and community disputes. The exercises enabled them to practise the step-by-step process of mediation and discuss how conflicts could be resolved without resorting to violence.
The participants were subsequently guided on how to step down the knowledge acquired to other young people in their schools, youth groups and neighbourhoods.
At the end of the training, the young girls committed themselves to becoming peer peacebuilders and establishing support networks to promote peaceful conflict resolution among young people in Zone 1.
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