The United Nations has called for the inclusion of women in resolving conflicts and peace-building in Nigeria.
The world body made the call via its subsidiary UN Women Monday in Abuja during a sensitisation workshop organised for state lawmakers by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in conjunction with the Norwegian Embassy.
Speaking through the UN Women Country Representative, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Director, Representation, Lansana Inonneh, the body said women were disproportionately impacted during conflicts, saying it will be most unfair to bypass them during conflict resolution as they should be embedded in the process, given their status in the society.
”Insecurity impacts every segment of society, but women are disproportionately affected,” she said.
While making a case for women in conflict prevention and management, the Country Representative advocated that women and girls must be protected and secured during crises, which could occur through Gender-Based Violence and other armed conflicts.
Similarly, the country representative said women and girls must benefit from relief packages provided during the recovery phase of conflict.
She called on the lawmakers present at the workshop to get more involved in implementing the State Action Plans on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 via making relevant legislation, adequate funding through budgetary allocation and allied oversight responsibilities in their respective states.
Lawmakers from Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna and Adamawa, represented mainly by their principal officers, including clerks, were present at the sensitisation workshop.
The UNSCR 1325 Resolution, which is about women, peace and security, came into being in 2000.
By this resolution, there is a concerted call for women to participate fully in peace-building and peace-making processes, be involved in post-conflict recovery and peace negotiations, be protected from human rights violations, and have access to justice.
