Minister assures of women Inclusion in peace, conflict resolution
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, has assured the inclusion of women in peace and conflict resolution to find lasting solution to issues of women being most affected in conflicts and violence.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) bill 1325 unanimously passed by the Security Council on the 31st of October 2000 is the first of many resolutions on “Women Peace and Security” (WPS).
This resolution recognizes that armed conflict impacts on women differently from men, and demands protection of women and girls during armed conflict and post conflict situations.
Speaking at the inauguration of National advisory Committee on Implementation of the 2nd National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs. Allhassan said: “The advisory committee has a role to provide guidance in the implementation process and assist the federal government to plan and coordinate the implementation”.
According to the Minister, the committee will ensure the sustainability of implantation of the 2nd NAP and promote nationwide impact and encourage an enhanced local ownership; noting that the UNSCR 1325 calls for a comprehensive assessment on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, their role in peace building and the gender dimensions of peace processes and conflict resolution.
“During the implementation of NAP in Nigeria, several gaps and emerging peace and security issues were observed at all levels.
There is need to revise the plan so as to integrate relevant components for a more comprehensive and strategic approach.
“Several initiatives were conducted to facilitate the revision process. These include capacity building and strategy meetings with national and international partners, desk review of relevant documents and zonal stakeholders consultative review meeting in the six geo political zones”, she said.
The meeting, which attracts women members from all states of the federation has a representative each in the committee including the federal capital territory (FCT).
The Daily Times recalls that the 1st NAP, for the implementation of the resolution and related resolutions in Nigeria was developed and launched on 27th August, 2013 which stressed the inclusion of women in the process of peace building, peace Keeping, conflict resolution and management.
The Minister stressed the need for active participation and contributions by development partners, government Ministries, department and agencies (MDAs), CSOs, traditional and religious institutions, and beneficiaries, saying; “this would create a springboard for the NAP at both state and national level.
“The need to sustain the momentum cannot be over emphasized. Concerted efforts should be developed and implement with State Action Plan and adequate funding for its sustainability”.
She assured of the ministry’s collaboration with states, key MDA’s, civil society organizations and the private sectors to deliver and implement on the commitments to NAP.
Speaking at the inauguration, United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria Ms Comfort Lamptey, represented by the UN program manager on peace and security, Njeri Karuru charged the advisory committee to explore and strengthen partnership and strategies to enable effective and efficient implementation monitoring and reporting of NAP and SAP with the stakeholders at all levels.
Head of Gender and Vulnerable Care Unit at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) , Asmau Leo, in her contribution , said government has made tremendous effort in the inclusion of women in peace process adding “there is need for more to be done”.
“Many women have interest in joining the security sector but the system hinders them due to their internal process of recruitment, as they feel that women cannot be combatant.
“Most women in the military are usually in information department or as cooks; a position not too engaging. The system deploys only men as combatants but that is changing now and there is progress in the inclusion of women in peace and conflict resolution.
The Deputy Director and Head, Gender Peace and Security at the Institution for Peace and Conflict Resolution Mrs. Grace Awodu, said the situation of peace and security in Nigeria is precarious.
According to her, a lot of women are taken for granted in peace processes, adding that women themselves have not been exceptive of their roles in the sector.
“Everybody knows that women play active role in conflict resolution, they are bridge builders who are interested in the stability of their home and community, so they are major stakeholders in peace resolution because she has a lot of interest to protect.
“Women have been violated both sexually and economically during crises because no woman run away and leave her children during crises. Women will rather die than leave their children and it is the process of protecting their children that makes them vulnerable in conflict situations, “she said.
Tom Okpe, Abuja
