Nigerian women gather for financial literacy training hosted by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria.

Peaceful coexistence depends upon everyone’s collective engagement in peacebuilding activities. The Global Peace Foundation’s (GPF) vision of One Family Under God, based on our shared humanity, embraces diversity as a cornerstone of unity and social cohesion. GPF Nigeria’s inclusive approach is deep-seated in its training for women in peacebuilding, financial literacy, and basic business management in Kaduna state.

Increasing economic challenges and ongoing social tension led volunteers who were past beneficiaries of GPF Nigeria training to request that the organization support the delivery of its Financial Literacy and Women Empowerment Program to a diverse group of women in their community. GPF Nigeria embraced the request and provided logistical support and technical backing to deliver this multifaceted training program to 120 women and 5 youth on April 21, 2025, in Takau 2, Kaninkon Chiefdom of Jema’s Local Government Area.

GPF Nigeria Sr. Program Manager Abdul Ahmed delivered a heartfelt message to the attendees on behalf of the organization’s Country Director, Rev. John Joseph Hayab. He stressed to women and the community at large the need to remain calm, peaceful, and united despite religious or cultural differences.

Following opening remarks, the attendees collaborated in interactive sessions to gain critical knowledge and skills in budgeting, recordkeeping, and income tracking while learning about the valuable role women play in peacebuilding. The confidence and self-reliance they gained from the training will carry over into their families and communities to create a stable and peaceful foundation.

Through their unrelenting efforts, the volunteers also raised funds that were disbursed during the program to support women-led businesses and empower ten individual women entrepreneurs to become economically viable. These funds will provide much-needed support as the women continue to grow and sustain their businesses.

Further, the volunteers have established a powerful movement creating community-led solutions that focus on supporting women and youth in their endeavors to prosper and become peacebuilders in their communities. The benefits grow exponentially as family and community bonds are strengthened.

The attendees valued the training they received. According to participant Aisha Yusuf, “This was my first time attending a training like this. I was happy to sit and learn with women from other religions. We discovered we share the same family origin, which is Adam and Eve, and dreams for our children and businesses. We left not just with knowledge, but also with friendship and peace.”

Even though they are the backbone of their communities, women are often overlooked when it comes to receiving essential training. Recognizing their inherent strength as peacebuilders, GPF Nigeria works with community leaders and volunteers to empower women with the knowledge and skills to build economic stability while creating sustainable peace.

Initiatives such as the Financial Literacy and Women Empowerment Program embody GPF’s collaborative model with local communities, which implements community-led solutions to create economic stability, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. To continue supporting women in small businesses, additional training will be conducted, supported by local groups and GPF Nigeria volunteers.