Citizens should be treated equally to eschew violence

While the world’s attention focuses on the health and economic impacts of post COVID -19, the Country Director of World Youth Summit (WYS), Jasmine Osamudiamen, recently organized a virtual conference to enlighten people on how they can shun violence and co-exist peacefully during and after the pandemic.

The conference tagged: “Co-existing peacefully post Covid-19: effects on the home, economy, society, gender” had different keynote speakers from Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Cyprus, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Pakistan, who engaged the participants in an interactive session.

Giving her opening address, the convener of the conference, Jasmine Eghobamien, said that the webinar is organized draw the attention of people to other impacts of the pandemic. She explained that the virus is having both short term and far reaching implications for our families, friends, and the society in general. So people have to be enlightened on how beautiful the world would become if they co-exist peacefully amidst the pandemic’s social effect on them.

According to her, the violence rate increased globally during the COVID-19 lockdown. With all this doom and gloom, she deemed this webinar necessary to provide solutions on how new measures can be adopted in other for people to live happily.

Speaking at the conference, Badshah Rajput advised that in other for people to co-exist peacefully, the youths should be taught leadership skills from a young age to give them a sense of responsibility to themselves, family, community and nation at large.

The Human right activist further stated that leaders should learn to be better good role models to the youths aspiring for leadership positions, so they can become responsible leaders.

He added: “Nations should implement strict policies to peace offenders. Government should carry the youths along during decision making processes rather than use them as political thugs. Already facing a youth unemployment crisis, the effects of COVID-19 are an unwanted addition to an already dire situation. The government should provide jobs for the youths and also encourage small businesses.

Executive Director Sister’s Hand, Miatta Gra, emphasized on the need to educate and sensitize the boy child from a young age for them to be more aware, respectful, tolerant, and responsible. She also suggested the need for awareness campaigns on the dangers of getting involved in societal violence.

“Early awareness towards the boy child on how to be responsible is one of the ways to help all to co-exist peacefully.” She urged the government to implement strict policies towards defaulters of peace in the Society.

The founder, World Youth Summit NPC, Hassan Mfouakie spoke on “Co-existing peacefully post COVID-19: From the eyes of a young Leader”. For him, treating citizens equally is one of the major ways to ensure a violence free society.

In his words “Every citizen must be treated equally, not disputing race, gender, and sexuality. Also, tolerance should be our guiding principle; we should learn to tolerate everyone no matter who they are.”

Speaking on how domestic violence can be avoided to achieve a violence free society, Ejiro Eze advised that couples should know their roles in the home in other to avoid authority struggles. She added that couples should respect each other, as well as create boundaries to help them no their limits to avoid domestic violence.

Princess Agbadu, a life coach, however explained that parents should pay close attention to their female children’s mental health. Government should build more therapy centers for victims of abuse to enable them regain their self-esteem and be more accommodating and tolerant towards the male child as they grow older.

In addition, children should be encouraged to communicate freely with their parents for early detection of pedophiles trying to prey on them.

Other guest speakers at the webinar were Tinomudaishe Mutemeri, Akwasi Boakye, and Dr. Murphy Mwanga.

The one-day Webinar was Co-host by Mr. Raymond Matlala, Founder, South African BRICS Youth Association.

Jasmine Osamudiamen is a graduate of International Studies & Diplomacy Department from the prestigious Benson Idahosa University. She is the Country Director of World Youth Summit NPC, an NGO registered in South Africa and represented in 44 countries around the world.