Earlier this year, the European Union and the Federal Government signed an agreement for a programme aimed at promoting women’s engagement in peace and security in the north. ENE OSANG writes
Women in peace, security:
“We cannot succeed without involving women in conflict resolution. Women are key to finding lasting solution to conflicts anywhere in the world, this is because women are peace builders and bridge builders.”
The above were words from Dr. Grace Ongile, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the signing ceremony which held at the office of the Minister for National Planning Commission (NPC) in Abuja.
Ongile while stressing the need for Nigerian women to be fully involved in the peace and conflict resolution process, said this is because they are most affected by violence and insecurity in Nigeria.
Women’s contribution to conflict resolution:
Ongile noted that women’s engagement in peace processes has been recognised through numerous international institutions, as well as resolutions and member state commitments.
However, she regrets that despite the recognition, implementation of these international commitments continues to leave women with minimal support structures for their many important activities.
“There is growing recognistion that women in conflict situations must not be viewed only as victims, but as powerful agents for peace and security in their communities, since women bear a heavy burden in conflict and post conflict societies, and reconstruct destroyed communities.
“While there have been discussions at all policy levels on women, peace and security, there has been less policy recognition of women as agents of change at the national and community level. This is the main reason why it is important to analyse women’s participation through the lens of peace processes. Peacebuilding can be enhanced and sustained by including women in peacebuilding,” she stated.
Why women in conflict resolution?:
According to Dr. Ongile, women must play major role in resolving conflicts because despite their absence from peace table, it is recognised fact that women as individuals have played critical roles in promoting inter-ethnic dialogue, providing innovative local solutions and ensuring that there are voices of reason.
She added that Nigeria is signatory to a variety of international and regional women’s rights conventions, treaties and declarations such as the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Others are the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, 2003, Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, 1995, Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, 2004.
“It is therefore important to translate policy commitments on gender equality, Peace and Security into concrete programmes at all levels.
“It is our hope that through the implementation of the National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and related resolutions in Nigeria women’s organisations will be strengthened to participate in peace processes ensuring that gender perspectives are included in peace keeping operations for sustainable peace.
How the programmed is designed:
During the official launch of the “Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria Project” which held monday, at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Ongile explained that the project which is funded by the European Union and Implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is stretched for three years with Adamawa, Plateau and Gombe as key target areas.
She said, “the project was developed through a participatory approach that involved discussions at federal, state and local levels.
“Nigeria will implement a 3 year European Union Funded programme aimed at strengthening women’s leadership, advancing gender equality and improving protection of women and girls in communities affected by conflict.”
“The strategy of the programme is designed around the capacity building of Nigerian institutions, women groups and gender equality advocates. The programme design incorporates a strong communication and knowledge management element in the hope it will contribute to the broader societal change towards gender equality, and generate valuable lessons learned to possible similar ventures,” she added.
Stakeholders take on women in peace talks:
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, in her address at the launch stressed that achieving goals associated with peace, unity and national development cannot succeed without involving women in conflict resolution. She noted that women are key to finding lasting solution to conflicts anywhere in the world because they are peacebuilders and bridge builders.
“An important component of our quest for peace and development is a shared vision in Nigeria to strengthen women’s leadership role advance gender equality, promote women empoerment and development and protect women and children in conflict situations,” she said.
Also speaking the Minister, National Planning Commission (NPC) Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, noted that the Boko Haram insurgents, social-cultural/religious conflicts amongst other discriminatory practices has impacted negatively on women and girls in the north, assuring of support for the project.
“Women’s engagement in peace and security in the north has been promoted through an authorised financing agreement.
“It is in recognition of this dire state of affairs that the EU Delegation, in consultation/collaboration with my office, agreed to commit an amount of 10 million Euros of the 10th EDF “B” Envelope to address the situation through pilot interventions in 3 states of Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau,” he stated.
According to him, the agreement will assist Nigeria achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) articulated in the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Meanwhile, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, said women have been active in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, but rarely allowed into the formal peace process.
He added that women’s involvement in conflict resolution and peace negotiations is not just an issue for women, but for men as well, stating that the point is to improve life for all people.
“Men have to see the direct benefit of engaging women in peace talks! Something male leaders are critical in helping to explain. It is important to state hear, that women’s involvement in conflict resolution and peace negotiation is not just an issue for women, but also for men.
“The point is to improve life for all people as long-term stability and development can only be achieved if violence and discrimination against women are addressed,” he said.
“There are countless examples of women who have intervened in conflicts, but most of their stories have never been recorded, and their efforts not counted. Indeed great advances have been made, but there is still a long way to go to achieve a world free from gender-based discrimination,” he decried.
An overview of the EU funded project:
The programme on women peace and security in northern Nigeria, shows that the programme seeks to support three northern states of Adamawa, Plateau, Gombe and other selected local government areas.
Peter Mancha of the UN Women during an interactive session with the media recently in Abuja noted that, the project is aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in peace building, advance gender equity and improve protection for women and children in conflict setting.
