Wednesday May 29, 2019
FILE PHOTO - Members of women's groups across Somalia participate in a review of progress made by the government in ensuring a sustainable peace. (AMISOM Photo / Omar Abdisalan)
ADDIS ABABA (Xinhua) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, on Tuesday urged east African countries to enhance the role of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution endeavors.
The call was made by IGAD's Mediation Support Unit (MSU) Director, Aleu Garang, who stressed the need to enhance the role and participation of women in the IGAD region, with particular importance to be given to women's participation in countries such as South Sudan, Somalia and the Sudan.
Garang also emphasized the essential imperative "to increase women's representation and participation on peace and security agenda linking to protection and participation concerns."
"Creating a network of trained women in peace-building and mediation...can reach other women at all levels including at the community level hence strengthening the multiplier effect," he said.
He also emphasized the "vital importance" of enhancing the existing low-level capacity and role of women in Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution, adding that such efforts could be effectively implemented under the framework of UN Security Council' Resolution 1325, which urges women's inclusion in peace processes.
UN Security Council' Resolution S/RES/1325 on women and peace and security, which was adopted in October 2000, reaffirms "the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction."
The resolution also stresses "the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security."