Nigeria Women of Faith Peacebuilding Network
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Non- Governmental and Other Organisations
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Block 6, Oba Close, Area 2, PO Box 286 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria
- womenoffaithnigeria
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Aim
Strengthen the capacities of faith based women and youth to build peace, promote just and harmonious society, and transform conflict in their communities; strive for community cohesion by engaging women and youth in dialogue for peaceful coexistence; work to advance sustainable human development and work for the protection of earth, promoting youth and women’s empowerment in multi religious collaboration for peace, enhancing multi religious networking among the interfaith women and youth; develop relevant multi-stakeholder partnership and alliances.
History
In June 2008, a group of women both from Islam and Christianity gathered to organize themselves into Nigeria Women of Faith Network.
IRD Activities
- Women of Faith Community Peacebuilding
In order to promote community peacebuilding and relations more practically at the local level in Nigeria, WOFPN participated actively in some annual religious festivities like the breaking of Ramadan fast (Iftr) and Christmas parties with other faith based communities in Nigeria. This love-filled activity is often led by our patron- His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and some members of WOFPN as well as the Abuja Interfaith Youth Forum. The approach here is that of building bonds of friendship and solidarity among leaders and members of different faiths encouraging shared and responsible citizenship. The essence of our community peacebuilding is to practice the good relationship that we preach. Experience has shown us that this singular act can motivate dialogue and practical cooperation among religious communities in Nigeria. Another form of community peacebuilding which WOFPN takes seriously is visiting the less privileged and destitute children and women
- Women of Faith Building Peace among Interfaith Women at the Grassroots Level
From experience WOFPN can truly testify that working together as sisters in faith, we have been able to achieve so much with the help of God more than we could have achieved alone. This can be seen through the creation of WOFPN at the States level in Nigeria. The latest among them was the official inauguration of Abuja WOFPN in Nigeria on 23rd of February 2012. The theme of that event was “The Role of Christian and Muslim Women in Peacebuilding in Our Community”. This inauguration drew together over 700 participants from Christian and Muslim organisations in Nigeria as it aims at strengthening the capacities of women both from Christian and Muslim groups to become agents of peace in their localities
- Women of Faith Building Capacities of Women through Dialogue
One of the major strategies of WOFPN’s work is dialogue. As women, we believe in the power of dialogue because dialogue enables us to build awareness on the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and acceptance. The network also focuses on peace education in order to foster social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. WOFPN has had series of meetings and workshops in this regard. Another aspect of its capacity building is participating in national and international fora like seminars, workshops, conferences, trainings, etc. so that we would be exposed to the realities on ground and at the same time experience cross boarder learning.
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Nigeria - Nigeria - Nigeria