In a Nigerian state scarred by violence for decades, an Irish religious sister has brought Muslim and Christian women together to campaign for peaceful coexistence

When this year’s Aachen Peace Prize is presented on 13 November to Elizabeth Abuk and Hajiya Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu of the Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) in the troubled Nigerian State of Kaduna, an Irish nun will be watching on with pride. Co. Donegal native Sr Kathleen McGarvey founded the organisation in 2010 to create peace and understanding between the two faiths in north-western Nigeria, where religious tensions have often spilled over into violence. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Kaduna State has seen a near tripling of violent incidents involving armed groups in the past year.

The Women’s Interfaith Council’s motto is “Women of faith, working together as mothers of a culture of peace”. It is born of the conviction that women have a transformative influence not only on their families but on society as a whole in promoting peace. “With this award, we want to encourage all women of the Women’s Interfaith Council and strengthen the image of the initiative within Nigeria and internationally,” said Lea Heuser, a spokes­person for the Aachen award. “The fate and courageous actions of the many women who, despite experiencing violence, tirelessly campaign for a peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims, are seen and valued.”