Women, Food Security, and the U.S. Farm Bill: Support funding for Food for Peace to help women farmers care for their families.

The article highlights that as many as 828 million persons globally are hungry and without adequate access to food. In the face of severe global food insecurity and hunger, the food that women produce helps to alleviate and prevent conflict. Yet, an estimated 70% of those killed during violent conflicts are unarmed civilians, many of whom are women and children. Also, programs that incorporate trauma support and peacebuilding skills for women who are victims of violent conflict tend to be more sustainable livelihood projects that are vitally important in vulnerable communities, where women are often the bedrock of food production as smallholder farmers. They are frequently the heart and soul of peacebuilding, pursuing well-being and a just peace. Published by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (July 10, 2023). Read more

Let us not grow weary.

The article articulates the need for a robust global collaboration in responding to the effects of COVID – 19. It premises an argument on the fact that in 2020, an additional 88 million to 115 million people were pushed into extreme poverty due to violent conflicts, climate change, and COVID-19. The stresses to global food systems caused by the pandemic have been severe. It points out that as a human family, we must find creative ways to make resources available for all communities to combat infection, which allows people to work or grow their own food. Published by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (May 27, 2021). Read more. Referenced in Books. Disarmed: The Radical Life and Legacy of Michael “MJ” Sharp

The United States’ Nigeria Policy: An equitable and collaborative partnership with Nigerian local actors is inevitable and imperative.

The article stresses the need for approaches tailored to the specific context. It advocates for local ownership of programs and urges a focus on addressing the root causes of conflicts. International NGOs, such as the Mennonite Central Committee, are acknowledged for their role in supporting local initiatives. Additionally, the article calls for the United States government to invest in nonviolent peacebuilding mechanisms, targeting local actors and embracing contextually sensitive approaches. Published by Nigeria Working Group (Congressional Briefing Document 2024)

Changing Systems as Peacemaking Work

The article posits our engagement in educating, advocating and influencing government policies as peacemaking. It calls us to affirm the fact that devastating effects of violence arising from unresolved grievances, incompatible goals, and contests of power spur us to ponder how our violent world could possibly reflect God’s beautiful handiwork (Gen. 1:31). Therefore, the need to step beyond our comfort zones and consider our roles in this interlocking web of systems that birth catastrophic violence. We can aspire to attain shalom, and “a peace the world cannot give” (John 14: 27; 16: 33, Psalm 122: 6) by advocating for justice, praying for and engaging policymakers, and supporting nonviolent peace work. Published by Brethren In Christ U.S. (Shalom, Volume 43, No. 1, Winter 2023.)

More Weapons Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Security Crisis: A nearly $1 billion U.S. arms sale to the country will promote further violence.

The collaborated article analyzes the complexities associated with Nigeria insecurity scenario and explores peacebuilding interventions that transforms root causes of the deteriorating situations. Also, the policy opinion offers recommendations to both the Nigerian and the U.S. governments, in prioritizing contextual and community based or led approaches. Government’s responses must be holistic and strategic, aiming the wellbeing of the society. Published by Foreign Policy (August 18, 2022). Read more.

References in books and other publications: Newswire: Dangerous growth of violent groups confronts new Nigerian President, Revista de Prensa: More Weapons Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Security Crisis, Responsible Statecraft: Nigerian military’s forced abortions raise questions about US aid, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Will the Invasion of Ukraine Change Russia-Africa Relations?, AfricaNewsBriefs: FREEZE ON WEAPONS SALE TO NIGERIA OVER ‘ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES’, New York Amsterdam News: Freeze on weapons sale to Nigeria over ‘enforces disappearances’, Book: Frieden und Sicherheit durch mehr Waffen?

Reflective advocacy, mutual empowerment and capacity building

The article explores Mennonite Central Committee’s model of Advocacy and speaking truth to power, as it works to address the policies and systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice around the world. MCC’s reflective advocacy represents an essential tool of humanitarian relief, development and peacebuilding programming. The model of advocacy motivates the agency of actors with capacities for change and coordinate with local partners to collaboratively influence structures and systems both locally and internationally, in mutuality and accompaniment. Published by Mennonite Central Committee (Intersections: MCC theory and practice quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 3, Summer 2021)

Addressing Hunger Amid COVID-19

The article articulates how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected populations already ravaged by violence, floods, drought, wildfires, displacements and disease. Also, as governments imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19, smallholder famers were prevented from harvesting their crops because of restrictions on movement. As a result, such farmers did not have access to their livelihoods and were made even more vulnerable. This inevitably affects the wellbeing of entire communities for the long term. It highlights some interventions undertaken by faith based organizations. Published by ThirdWay (October 2, 2020). Read more

How The U.S. Can Support Developing Countries Fighting COVID — For $0

The article highlights the inherent global inequality among countries and the importance of global accompaniment. Privileged and wealthy countries should support less wealthy ones in responding to global the pandemic and its devastating effects. The U.S. government’s global leadership and position in global agencies is key to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations. Published by Foreign Policy In Focus (August 20, 2020). Read more

Republished and references: COUNTERPUNCH: How the U.S. Can Support Developing Countries Fighting COVID… for Almost Nothing, Business Standard: How the US can support developing countries fighting Covid-19 for $0, RadioFree: HOW THE U.S. CAN SUPPORT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FIGHTING COVID… FOR ALMOST NOTHING

In Nigeria, Preventing Radicalization Through Rebuilding Lives

The article explains the implications of years of brutal localized conflicts and intense violence. And how it displaced more than 2 million people and destroyed livelihoods. The humanitarian crisis is primarily a result of the decade-long fighting between Boko Haram militants and Nigeria’s military. The ongoing insecurity often prevents people from accessing life-saving assistance. Additionally, flooding has destroyed farmlands and crops that are a main source of food, increasing food insecurity. It highlights some local peacebuilding initiatives that address issues of drug abuse and youth radicalism through a program to reduce violent extremism. Published by ThirdWay (December 6, 2019). Read more

Washington Witness: Progress toward ending hunger falters

The article explores the adverse effects of government policies that thwart poverty reduction progress, and how women, babies and children are the most adversely affected. Around the globe, 1 out of 7 newborns has a low birth weight, and 151 million children are stunted. Every day, about 830 women die from preventable complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, and 7,000 babies die in the first month of life. To get back on track and achieve the ambitious goal of zero hunger by 2030, wealthy countries will need to increase support for programs to enhance access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Improved nutrition will lead to improved health for lactating mothers and children. Published by Anabaptist World (September 30, 2019). Read more. This article was originally published by Mennonite World Review