The International Alert (IA) Nigeria has said that the nation’s search for peace cannot be achieved without the active participation of Nigerian women, thus they must be involved and active in helping the nation tackle banditry and other forms of insecurity.
The Country Director of the IA-Nigeria, Wangari Wanjau, made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the end of the project learning and dissemination meeting titled “Women, Peace and Security”.
The event also witnessed the launch of the Action for the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 and Related Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security in Bauchi and Benue states.
According to her, the programme is aimed at ensuring that all sectors participate in the peace keeping process and encouraging women to be vocal and be included in the nation’s building.
“Our focus is on peacekeeping, to ensure that all sectors are actively participation in the peace keeping process, we are dedicated to providing an avenue where women are vocal and can participate in nation building, also identifying women of change who have enough exposure and can support the policies to the grass root, this phase of the project was implemented in two states, Benue and Bauchi,” Wanjau said.
Also, the Minister of Women Affair, Dame Pauline Tallen, said that the women, peace and security agenda in Nigeria is very key and strategic programme towards strengthening women’s voice in ending all forms of conflict associated-violence against women and girls.
According to her, it will also help to integrate them into mediation and restoration of peace in conflict situations.
She said that since inception, women’s important roles and responsibilities in constructing an enduring peace and security as well as in achieving a great feat in the implementation of Resolution 1325 in the country has always been emphasized.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Anthonia Akpabio, the minister said that women must be encouraged to rise to the occasion in the face of the insecurity across the country.
“It is important to state that, the women, peace and security agenda in Nigeria is very key and strategic programme towards strengthening women’s voice to ending all forms of conflict associated-violence against women and girls as well as integrate them into mediation and restoration of peace in conflict situations.
“Since inception, the women’s important roles and responsibilities in constructing an enduring peace and security as well as in achieving a great feat in the implementation of the resolution 1325 in the country has always been emphasized and they must be encouraged to rise to the occasion in the face of the insecurity across the country.
“I will like to implore all our amiable funders, partners, and the ever-vibrant stakeholders to take a step further towards supporting the domestication of the NAP in non-domesticated states as well as the development of the on-going 3rd NAP,” she said.
On his part, the Norwegian Ambassador in Nigeria, Knut Lein, assured that the United Nations (UN) women are committed to the full implementation of the Action Plans across the country.
He said that the UN had trusted and capable hands in the field, stating that the Norwegian government would continue to give its support.
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