The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) conducted a five-day capacity building training on “Enhancing the Role of Women Community Leaders in Preventing Radicalization and Extremism Leading to Terrorism (PRELT)” from 5-9 December 2022. The training—held in partnership with the Borno State Government—took place at the Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement premises in Maiduguri.

The training began with a high-level opening ceremony, in the presence of H.E. the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, H.E. Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, H.E. Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Nigeria, Ihab Awad, as well as key commissioners and advisors from the Borno State Government.

In her welcoming remarks, H.E. Hon. Commissioner Gambo highlighted that the training “will cement that women are perfectly situated to communicate and disseminate alternative narratives that debunk extremist and radical undertones.”

On his part, Ambassador Awad expressed his appreciation to H.E. the Governor for considering CCCPA as a reliable and trustworthy partner in support of this effort to “build the Borno of Hope.”

In his keynote address, H.E. Prof. Zulum emphasized the ongoing partnership between Borno State and CCCPA, stating that it is “in pursuit of our common goal of sustainable peace and development in Africa.” “Through empowering community leaders, and especially women leaders, with the skills and knowledge to deconstruct extremist narratives, we help raise barriers of entry to terrorist groups and strip them of their ability to recruit and mobilize our youth,” he added.

The training brought together 27 women community leaders and influencers from diverse backgrounds and different local government areas across Borno State – including Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development (MWASD), Social Cohesion Platforms, National Orientation Agency (NOA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Women in the New Nigeria & Youth Empowerment Initiative (WINN), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ/NUJ), Federal Ministry of Education, Bama Youth Development Initiative, and Bulumkutu transit center – in addition to traditional women community leaders and influencers from Gwoza, Chibok, Bama, and Jere.

The purpose of this tailor-made training is to capacitate women community leaders and strengthen their communities’ resilience against terrorism. More specifically, the training enables participants to identify structural factors that can give rise to radicalization while focusing on the growing nexus between conflict and terrorism. It provides participants with a nuanced understanding of the rules and ethics of war and peace in Islamic Sharia, and key concepts which have been exploited by terrorist groups. Additionally, the training provides participants with tools to deconstruct extremist narratives while empowering them to formulate alternative narratives grounded in peaceful coexistence and tolerance, rooted in Islamic Sharia and community traditions. Finally, the training also equips participants with skills that will enable them to communicate and prevent radicalization within their communities, particularly among youth. 

This training comes in line with the recommendations put forth in CCCPA’s report titled “Advancing Holistic and Comprehensive Efforts to Confront Africa’s Growing Terrorism Challenge,” which is based on a field mission conducted in Nigeria in December 2021.  Launched at the third edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in June 2022, the report emphasizes the importance of enhancing community resilience through capacitating local community leaders as the first line of defense against radicalization and extremism.

The training was implemented with the generous support of the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) – Office of the Counterterrorism – through the United Nations Development Programme.