Representatives of ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organisations and the media in Imo State have stressed the need to put in place a legal framework that would strengthen women’s role in security, peace-building and decision-making processes in the state.
The stakeholders said that active women’s participation in key decision-making relating to peace and security would enhance inclusiveness, equity, social justice, transparency, accountability, even development and general well-being of the citizens and the state at large.
They stated this at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting, aimed at identifying local perspectives and priorities for the development of the Imo State Action Plan (SAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), held in Owerri.
The organisers, Alliances for Africa (AfA), through its executive director, Ms. Ihuoma Obibi said the dialogue was part of the collective efforts to localise the third National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution, UNSCR 1325 and to ensure inclusive peace-building in Imo State.
Obibi disclosed that the meeting, apart from creating awareness on SAP and its relevance to the state, was also aimed at fostering stakeholders’ education, collaboration and commitment to its formulation and implementation in the state.
She urged the state government and other concerned stakeholders to facilitate and support the speedy development of the legal framework in the state for the overall interest and good of the people.
Speaking on the priority areas of the legal framework, a consultant, Amy Oyekunle disclosed that the NAP/SAP on WPS objectives include, “To ensure that women’s and girls’ rights are protected and promoted in peace, conflict and humanitarian settings; strengthen technical capacities, resource allocation, service provision and reporting around SGBV through innovation and technology as well as to strengthen legislative, policy reforms and practices on standardisation and the operationalisation of WPS/GBV prevention and response.”
Oyekunle stressed that when SAP is implemented, the outcomes would include meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes and architecture at all levels and increased representation of women at decision-making levels in traditional, political, electoral and other governance systems.
The meeting, with the theme, “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Peace and Security Policy Dialogues at the Local Level through the Development of a State Action Plan for the Enforcement of the 3rd NAP on UNSCR 1325,” witnessed the appointment of a 35-person Imo State Implementation Group on Women Peace and Security (WPS).
