Katsina Women, Persons With Disabilities Trained to Report Early Conflict Signs

At least 50 women and persons living with disabilities in Katsina State have begun specialised training to detect and report early warning signs of conflict in their communities.

The two-day programme started on Thursday under Nigeria’s National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWERS), with support from SPRiNG. Organisers said the training is meant to improve local prevention capacity by helping participants identify risk indicators and trigger timely response channels.

The project is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Implementation is being led by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN-West Africa) in Katsina, Kaduna, Benue and Plateau states.

Addressing participants at the opening session in Katsina, NCEWERS Technical Lead Dr Mang Chaimang said the intervention is part of wider efforts to strengthen community-based conflict management and prevention systems.

He said participants are being equipped with practical knowledge to recognise tensions early and report them through structured pathways before they escalate into violence.

According to him, research has shown that women and persons with disabilities are often among the first to notice warning signs because of their everyday connection to community life, yet they are frequently left out of formal response structures.

Facilitators said the sessions include instruction on risk mapping, information documentation, safe reporting methods and coordination with institutions responsible for response. Participants are also expected to engage local stakeholders in building trust around early warning reporting.

Organisers said the long-term objective is to expand inclusive peace infrastructure in vulnerable areas and reduce preventable conflict through early action.

Participants at the training welcomed the initiative and said it gives them practical tools to support peacebuilding at neighbourhood level. Project officials added that outcomes from the Katsina training will guide additional interventions in other participating states as implementation continues.