Building the capacity of women to strengthen their role in Peace Building :

“The Jowhar Women's Workshop”

The Center for Research and Dialogue (CRD) had conducted three days workshop on strengthening the role of women in Peace Building in Jowhar of Middle Shabelle Region during 1 st – 3 rd January, 08. The main purpose of this workshop was to improve & strengthen women's role in peace building, conflict resolution, and reconciliation. The workshop also aimed to highlight the importance of networking and criteria for good leadership. The number of the participants was 57 women from the 8 districts of the Midle Shabelle Region namely- Jowhar (the regional headquarter), Adale, Aden Yabaal, Mahaday and Balad (older districts), and Warsheikh; and Raghe-Ele, Run-Nirgood which are newly formed districts after collapse. Participants came from all different categories of active women organizations/groups such as NGOs, women groups, business women, professionals, media and prominent individuals.

The workshop was seen very important and relevant by both the regional administrations and participants. They all stated that it was unexpected to see such a large number of women brought together to exchange experiences and discuss issues related to community priority which is peace building.

It was also highlighted that the workshop was the first of its kind that brought together a large number of women from all eight districts that M/shabelle region composes. Due to the prevailing clan conflicts that are continuously taking place in many areas of the region, the role of women was seen presently as very important and most needed. Similarly promoting the capabilities of women in Peace building was perceived very critical and supportive for women to play visible role in strengthening peace.

Workshop participants succeeded to select eight members among them as working committee –one from each district, they developed criteria and working rules for the committee and also agreed activities to be implemented by each district during their return to their respective areas. They requested follow up visits after five months to discuss what achievements so far reached in promoting and maintaining peace in their respective area. To make communication much easier they agreed that they are going to select a focal person.

The workshop was continued in a calm and Peaceful atmosphere. The participants showed their eagerness to share experiences and skills and they displayed well their role in peace building in the past, example the role they played in reconciling conflicts between farmers and cattle raisers in the year 2000 and added that the workshop gave them classical skills, which would raise up their capability and skills towards peace and reconciliation activities

The workshop was opened by the Commissioner of Jowhar district Mr, Aqiil, who described well the need of such workshops in strengthening women's role in peace building & reconciliations. During his opening speech he sincerely thanked to CRD and requested for more follow up activities to be done repeatedly in the region and its surrounding districts. Mr. Aqil has underscored that women are the main engine who could rapidly move into a broadly based and long lasting peace. He also encouraged the participants to work hard and to utilize well the skills and experiences gained from the workshop and to change it into practical actions. In addition, chair ladies of the regional and district women groups Mr. Sa'adia Burus added their comment on women's vision and needs to develop peace building strategies and need for women to collaborate by developing an endless cooperation achieve peace which is the first priority of the community.

At the last, the workshop was concluded by the Governor of the M/shabelle Region Mr. Mohamed Omar Deelle who wholeheartedly thanked to CRD for bringing this important workshop in M/shabelle and for their efforts in strengthening role of women in peace building and Interpeace for providing funds. He encouraged the participants to to make use of the knowledge and skills gained and change it into practical work. He repeatedly encouraged women to go ahead in undertaking their responsibilities in peace development on the basis of the skills they benefited from the workshop.

The Regional and district administrations had prepared a farewell lunch for both CRD staff and the participants together with other important personalities from the region at Mr. Aqil's Farm at Raqeyle agricultural area near Jowhar. After lunch the participants addressed very attractive cultural games and songs showing their readiness to steps towards peace progresses. Among these was songs which expressed the importance of the workshop to promoting peace which in turn will affect their lives, the lives of the community and the lives of Somalis as well. The verses of one of these songs ended like this:

Siminaarkaaneey sidaan rabney waayee,

sideed degmow isu keenay oo su'aal isweydiihaaya,

Soomaalina sinaan iyo samo aan u rabnaa. Which translates like this:

This workshop is what we desired,

It brought together eight districts to ask questions,

That is what we deeply needed

And we want equality and peace for all Somalis.