Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated a National Action Plan booklet for the domestication of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, said at the occasion that the resolution called for increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace building processes.
She added that the resolution was also aimed at protecting women and girls in armed conflict.
“It is imperative for Nigeria to launch the action plan because it gives women the opportunity to partake in decision making processes on peace and security in the country.
“The launching will also help to reduce the challenges of women in our society during conflict.”
She said the contributions of women were vital to building a peaceful world and must be supported by everyone.
According to her, the recent UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Women, Peace and Security, highlighted a growing number of inspiring examples of women in action.
Maina called on all stakeholders to help in the implementation of the UN resolution, given the unquantifiable role of women in the society.
“When you train a woman, you are building a great and viable nation. Therefore, I charge all stakeholders to collaborate as the security of the country is a collective responsibility.”
Dr Grace Ongile, Country Representative of UN Women in Nigeria, said only small progress had been made in the involvement of women in informal peace processes since 2000.
Ongile said peace talks involving women ensured greater voices in conflict resolution.
“It cannot be disputed that national growth and development hinge on a minimum level of peace and security, as both are closely related concepts.
“This means that whatever is happening in the peace and security sector will impact on national development agenda of which women are overwhelming majority.”
Ongile called on decision makers to ensure that the provisions of the plan were respected and implemented for the inclusion of women into peace building and conflict management.
Gender consultant, Mrs Lydia Umar, said the security challenge facing Nigeria made resolution 1325 significant, adding that the country needed to be proactive at preventing conflicts.
According to her, the resolution will ensure that Nigerian women are protected during conflicts at all levels of the society.
“In conflict situations, issues like loss of one’s spouse, means of livelihood and gender based violence are rampant.
“Nigeria needs to implement the provisions of the 1325 resolution on women, peace and security which is central for development”, Umar said.
