African leaders called for women to have a greater say in political decision-making and peace negotiations at the Great Lakes Region Women Parliamentarians’ Conference in Dar es Salaam on Monday, arguing that their role must extend beyond being victims of conflict and violence.
“They are leaders, peace-builders, mediators and key development stakeholders. […] Now is the time to take deliberate action and strengthen efforts to remove the barriers that prevent women from participating fully in formal peace-building and leadership processes,” said Tanzanian Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi.
He urged governments to remove discriminatory practices, economic obstacles and institutional barriers that continue to exclude women from formal leadership and peacebuilding processes.
“Meaningful participation of women is part of the solution. It is fundamental to sound decision-making and an essential tool for building lasting peace,” Ndejembi stressed.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, warned that women and girls continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict, displacement, inequality and gender-based violence.
“This sad reality reminds us of the importance to ensure that women are fully participating in the prevention and resolution of conflict and the peace process,” Huang said.
For her part, Democratic Republic of Congo Prime Minister Judith Suminwa warned that giving women positions of authority meant little without real influence over the decisions being made.
“Representation alone is not enough. A woman may have a seat at the decision-making table without having genuine influence over the decisions taken. Our ambition must therefore be clear to move from representation to influence and from influence to tangible results,” Suminwa emphasised.
Held from November 2 to 5, the gathering brings together representatives of 12 Great Lakes countries and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the 2006 Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region.
It comes as fighting in eastern DRC continues to force people from their homes, leaving women and girls especially vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
The conference also renewed attention on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, which calls for women’s greater participation in peace negotiations, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction.
Source: Viory
