(Muslim Women Meet in Abia. Photo credit: Punch News)
A Muslim women’s organization is starting its annual conference in a southeastern Nigerian city on Friday. More than 600 people are expected to attend.
The conference theme is “Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges.”
It will bring together women leaders, scholars, business owners, youth, policymakers and community workers from across the country.
The organization’s leader said the theme speaks to real problems Nigeria is facing insecurity, money troubles, joblessness for young people, climate issues and humanitarian crises affecting millions.
These challenges require everyone to step up, act together and provide leadership, she said.
Muslim women believe faith gives moral direction, resilience helps people push through hardship, and responsibility pushes them to help their communities.
That’s why challenges shouldn’t lead to despair but should inspire action and compassion, she explained.
The conference will focus on issues like faith and uncertainty, strengthening families, women’s role in peace efforts, education, business opportunities for women, security, climate change, helping people in crisis and mentoring young people.
The goal is to come up with practical ideas that strengthen families, communities and institutions.
The organization has worked for over 40 years on education, healthcare, helping women and youth, peacebuilding and community development.
It’s calling for more investment in education, mental health support, women’s leadership, youth mentorship and climate adaptation.
It also wants stronger partnerships between different groups to help vulnerable people and support sustainable development.
