Women Urged to Embrace Anti-Arms Proliferation Campaign

May 24, 2005 - (This Day) As Nigerian women join their counterparts the world over, to mark the International Women's Day for Peace and Disarmament, Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET - Nigeria) has called on all women groups to join in the campaign to curb violence and arms proliferation.

The call was contained in a statement issued by WIPNET's Enugu State Coordinator, Mrs Ngozika Oji, saying more women groups are needed to join hands "to form a strong network to monitor, report and fight arms proliferation.

"More women groups should be involved in public disgrace of known arms dealers," the statement said, adding that those who bring arms into the country illegally contribute to insecurity in the land," she said.

To check activities of arms dealers, WIPNET called on the Federal Government to enact a law that would make unapproved arms importation a criminal offence.

The group also urged government to come up with a law that would make it possible to monitor accountability in arms transaction in government security agencies.

According to the group, easy availability of small arms in Nigeria has compounded insecurity problem in the land, as those who commit atrocities have ready weapons for use.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200505240625.html