SPECIAL REPORT: Minister Urges Nigerians To Recognize Women As Peace Builders

25/10/2017
By; TINA PHINEAS
  

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Al-Hassan, has called for recognition in Nigeria of the pivotal role of women in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace.

Alhassan made the call on Wednesday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the North East Zonal launch and dissemination of the revised National Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nation Security Council Resolution, UNSCR 1325, on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria.

The minister, who was represented by Mrs. Victoria Lar  of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, maintained that UNSCR 1325 was the first official and lawful global document to acknowledge the lopsided and heavier toll that war and conflict have on women and girls in Nigeria, it also recognize women as intrinsic value to any meaningful security  and peace processes.

 

“UNSCR 1325 addresses not only the inordinate impact of war on women, but also the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace”.

“This ground breaking resolution requires all parties in armed conflict to protect women and promote their participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction,” she stated.

The minister further stated that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs acknowledges that women and girls are affected in situation of crisis and armed conflict, and recognizes that their participation at all levels of prevention, reconstruction, as well as peacekeeping is essential to achieving sustained peace and security.

“In Resolution 1325, the UN Security Council calls upon governments and other parties to take steps towards the implantation of the eighteen actions outlined in the resolution concerning women’s participation, protection, prevention, relief and recovery in conflict and post conflict setting around the world”.

“Plans are underway to ensure that the NAP is translated into Four indigenous languages and simplified to enable a wide coverage and stakeholder’s participation”, Al Hassan confirmed.

Speaking Earlier, Dr Titus Orngu, GTA UN WOMEN Adamawa disclosed that the launch of the NAP is ongoing in other states, as it is a nationwide project.

According to him, the NAP UNSCR 1325, provides the road map for the inclusion and participation of women in peace and security at all levels.

“The nap document touches the lives of all women in Nigeria, it is vital to the participation of women in peace building and post conflict reconstruction”

He therefore call upon Nigerians to pay attention, for successful launch, effective dissemination and implementation of NAP/SAP in each state of the country.

Jafare Mohammed of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs call upon women to come together; cooperate with their male counter parts for sustainable peace and security

He maintained that, with the launch of the NAP, Nigeria is creating and enhancing an enabling environment for women’s active participation in peace and security at all levels.