By Philip Yatai

The AID Foundation, an NGO has called on government at all levels, religious and traditional rulers to deliberately create spaces for women and young girls in peace building structure in communities.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Emmanuel Bonet made the call in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday, to commemorate the 2020 International Peace Day.

Bonet said that such roles would enable women and young girls to bring in their unique wealth of experience, knowledge and perspective to the peace building processes across the globe.

“It is no longer news that communities consciously and unconsciously neglect to identify or consider women’s views in issues that relate to conflict or peace building.

“This is why we dedicated the 2020 International Peace Day to women across the globe who are more affected by violence and conflicts that disrupts peace.

“This was to provide them with a platform to air their views on how and what they think communities, government, religious institutions among others should do to bring about sustainable peace in our world,’’ he said.

Bonet added that AID Foundation, with support from PLAN International, commemorated the International Peace Day along with Kaduna State Youth Peace Academy (KSYPA) in Kasuwan Magani, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru simultaneously.

“In Kasuwan Magani, the KSYPA comprised of Christian and Muslim youths of Adara, Fulani and Hausa extraction who performed storm theatres within their communities.

“They highlighted the consequences of spreading rumours and brought people together to shun it.

“They also conducted a rally to increase awareness about what they are jointly doing towards religious tolerance and promoting peaceful co-existence,’’ he said.

Bonet added that in Birnin Gwari, the KSYPA mobilised Christian and Muslim youths to cleaned up the heart of the town.

This, he said, symbolised that peace has diverse approaches when people are determined to work together for a common good.

“In Kajuru, the KSYPA, like their counterpart in Kasuwan Magani also performed storm theatres for selected groups, demonstrating how dangerous it is to engage in rumour peddling.

“They ended the day with a peace rally to mobilize citizens to embrace peace,’’ he said.

The director-general called on the media to provide platforms for more women to air their views and contribute towards sustainable peace in the world.

He equally called on the media to sensitise traditional and religious leaders to consciously incorporate women in their peace building architecture and mechanisms.

“The government should equally include more women in peace building and reconciliations committees and always seek their views on issues that concern peace.

“As for the AID Foundation, we will continue to promote fairness in peace building processes,” he said.