The Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, have called on the government and the traditional institutions to prioritize the inclusion of women in every conflict resolution and peace management committee.
They stated that women’s involvement in the peace building process brings about quicker results and sustainability.
The Director General of IPCR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja, Dr Joseph Ochogwu during a community dialogue/training workshop in Akwa Ibom on “Strengthening the role of women in conflict prevention and peace negotiations In traditional societies in southern Nigeria,” regretted that traditional societies are highly patriarchal in nature that women are not allowed to be part of conflict resolution process.
Ochogwu, who was represented by Grace Awodu, head of Gender Peace and security unit of the Institute, noted that the earlier the traditional institutions recognized the importance of women inclusion in such committees, the better for them.
According to him, “in conflict Resolution Committees, women should be included so that the necessities and needs of women would be captured.
“We want to mainstream women in peace building; for this project, we acknowledge that when women are involved in peace building process, peace tends to last longer than when they are not involved.”
In his remarks, Diallo Abdourahamane, head of UNESCO Abuja office, urged stakeholders to do away with barriers and stereotypes hindering women from conflict prevention and peace-building processes in their communities
Abdourahamane, represented by Nneka Okafor, head of social and human sciences at UNESCO regional office, Abuja, noted that women, though victims of conflict and war, are also agents of change.
He said, “It is only right that women should be actively involved in decision making processes at all levels, from local community initiatives to high-level peace negotiations.
“Their perspectives grounded in the daily realities of their communities bring a depth of understanding that is crucial for crafting effective and lasting solutions.
“Let us recognize the indispensable contribution that women can and must make in the pursuit of sustainable peace.”
