FG to involve women in conflict resolution, peace-building processes

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, on Friday pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to step up efforts to include women in conflict resolution processes and peace building.
Tallen said this during the National inauguration of Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative in Abuja.
Represented by the Assistant Chief Social Welfare Officer from the Ministry, Iheanyichi Amanambu, Tallen noted that no peace-building process could be successful and effective without the strong participation of women.
She said: “No conflict resolution can be worthwhile and fruitful without the full weight of women.
“No nation can experience the desired growth and sustainable development without a contribution from the womenfolk.
“Women have also been used in most of the States to provide early warning sign of conflict due to the nature of their businesses and their closeness to the entire family network.”
Tallen said that Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau states were frontline States with increased percentage of Women in Peace Architecture.
She said the Ministry had established Women Peace Ambassadors and Lead Mentors across the States with specific aim of involving more women in peace negotiations and mediation in their localities.
Tallen also said the Ministry in collaboration with the UN Women in the implementation of the project “Engagement of Women in Peace and Security in the North East” had provided avenue for state government and other stakeholders.
The Head, Gender and Vulnerable Group Care Unit, Asmau Leo, called for a national policy and localisation of the response to the humanitarian crisis in the country.
She said although the Federal Government had continued to do a lot to bring solutions to the problems, saying there was still more to be done.
Leo said the National policy would complement international support to solving human crisis.
She said: “Nigerians need to contribute their own quota to nation building and shun the attitude of believing that government ‘knows it all and can do everything’.
“UN and other agencies continue to offer technical support; but this is our problem, it is a Nigerian problem, locality must take place and we must ensure everything is done to improve the situation.”