By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The CLEEN Foundation, in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy and UN Women, has successfully trained over 50 women mediators, focusing on enhancing the capacity, advocacy, and local engagement of women’s mediation platforms in Plateau and Kaduna States through the Scale Mediation initiative.
Held on September 9th at City Den Hotel in Kaduna, the one-day event themed “Women Peace Builders Mediators Network” aimed to equip participants with professional knowledge essential for their roles as peace builders.
The Kaduna State Women Mediators Network, led by Chairperson Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf, emphasized the importance of this opportunity for women, highlighting their vital role in promoting peace within communities.
Prof. Yusuf noted that women are inherently skilled mediators, often managing conflicts within families and relationships. She pointed out the potential for women to professionalize their mediation skills, stating, “With a professional approach, women can offer mediation services not just at home but within their communities.”
She further encouraged women to seize this training as a pathway to enhancing conflict resolution, stability, and progress not only in Kaduna State but beyond. “There can be no peaceful home without the involvement of women,” she asserted, urging more women to join the mediation efforts.
During the program, Hajiya Sa’adatu Hamma, Deputy Director of Mediation/Arbitration, led discussions on effective communication skills crucial for conflict resolution. She encouraged participants to collaborate with the Multi-Door Courthouse to practice the skills they learned, expressing gratitude to UN Women for their continued support.
The training aimed to familiarize participants with the various functions of the Kaduna State Multi-Door Courthouse ADR Center, covering methods such as Arbitration, Mediation, Native Law and Customs, Sulhu, Trauma Healing, and Restorative Justice. Participants gained essential ADR techniques to apply in real-world scenarios while also exploring the integration of digital tools in peace-building efforts.
Mrs. Dorcas Lewy Daniel, Director of the Multi-Door Courthouse and lead facilitator, elaborated on the distinctions between Arbitration and Mediation. She explained that Arbitration is typically used for legal disputes, while Mediation is more suited for personal issues, allowing parties to propose solutions collaboratively.
Mrs. Daniel also highlighted the importance of neutrality, empathy, and effective communication for successful mediators. The program included practical sessions focused on conflict resolution tools and integrating digital methods with traditional ADR practices.
Participants expressed their gratitude to CLEEN Foundation, UN Women, and the Multi-Door Courthouse for the invaluable capacity-building program. They committed to applying their newfound knowledge to enhance peace-building, conflict resolution, and mediation efforts within their communities.
