Ehancing women participation in peace and security: WANEP hold interactive meeting
By Isaac Eranga
Benin City: The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), said there has been a remarkable absence of the voices of moderation that women provide in decision making on strategies to be adopted in the course of managing conflicts and promoting peace in Nigeria.
WANEP made this assertion through its National Network Coordinator, Chief (Mrs.) Bridget Osakwe in a one day interactive round table meeting with key stakeholders in Benin, with the theme: Promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Edo State.
Mrs. Osakwe said the palliative capacities women draw from their connections as mother's, sisters and wives continue to cushion trends or patterns of violence in communities.
"In the Niger Delta, the high quantity of oil and gas resources prevalent in the region account for more than 80% of revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria. These resources are attractive for foreign direct investment as already witnessed in the region. However, the continuous violent engagements between the multinational companies and the host communities often affects businesses and in some cases leads to casualties and complete shutdown of oil and gas activities.
"This project is anchored on the need to respond to the impact of violent conflicts and promote women's rights to participate in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and decision making. The project builds on the shared vision and goals of stakeholders of establishing peaceful and prosperous communities and nation's that respect human rights, women's rights; and recognises the important contributions of women in conflict resolution, conflict prevention and peace building.
"It is expected that the project will provide condusive environment for effective implementation of the State Action Plans (SAP) on UNSCR 1325", she said.
Also speaking, the Head of Program WANEP, Mrs. Patience Ikpeh Obaulo said the project came about as a result of the dynamics of conflict happening in Nigeria. She said the key objective of the project was to enhance understanding of Nigeria's reviewed National Action Plan (NAP) and related international and national policies among local government authorities, traditional leaders, women leaders, youth leaders and community leaders in the State; to enhance local women network's capacities and skills for peacebuilding; and to institutionalize opportunities for gender sensitive peace and security development.
"Our key activities include designing of a framework for the project; a train the trainer program; one-day round table meeting for stakeholders on women decision making in peacebuilding; review and experience sharing meeting with the women trained; strategic meeting on sustainability of the structures put in place; and production of radio program that relays women voices for peace", said Mrs. Obaulo.
On her part, the Edo State Coordinator for WANEP, Barr. Agatha Osieke urged all women to be focused, saying the activities are key to what women are doing. She said the program will bring about a document that will serve as guide to the women.
A welcoming note was given by the Honourable Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Affairs, who was represented by Mrs. Eugenia Iyoha of the Social Welfare Department.
Giving a goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Mrs. Yinka Omorogbe who was represented by Mrs. Stella Omoregbe, said the ministry has done a lot in raising awareness on the issues of children and women in the State through the citizen's rights and citizen's mediation centers.
A Steering Committee comprising the Police, NSCDC, Civil Society Organisations, the media, Women groups, was latter inaugurated for Edo State.
Source: Nigerian Observer Newspaper
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