Statement of Angola at the Open Debate on the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, March 28 2016
Statement of Angola, March 28, 2016
The reviews agreed on the postulate that the greatest responsibility of the international community is the prevention of armed conflict and highlighted the critical need for greater investment in prevention strategies. The reviews furthermore stressed the value added of the women and peace and security agenda to conflict prevention and the potential for early warning in gender-sensitive analysis by identifying the drivers of conflict, such as changing dynamics, namely, at family and community-level relations. It also highlighted that conflict prevention could be greatly improved by engaging with women, given their grass-roots knowledge, especially in providing relevant indicators for dealing with the threats of conflict and for the implementation of preventive measures.
Statement of Angola, March 28, 2016
The global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) recognizes the importance of enhancing the role of women and of their participation at all phases and levels of peace processes, given its potential for accelerating the attainment of solutions to conflict and the sustainability of peace. Women’s participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts can take on different forms and dimensions, inter alia, direct involvement in formal peace negotiations, consultative commissions, public policies, decision-making, national dialogues, peacebuilding and comprehensive reforms, leading to democratization processes.
Statement of Angola, March 28, 2016
Women and children are the main victims in today’s armed conflicts. Therefore, their participation in those processes becomes a crucial issue. Their voices must be heard in the prevention of conflict, in the negotiation of peace settlements and in ensuring that their interests are taken into account in post-conflict reconstruction. It is of pivotal importance that the institutional mechanisms established in Africa promote an environment conducive to the meaningful participation of women in peace and security, while reasserting the full commitments of the African States to that objective.
Statement of Angola, March 28, 2016
Through partnerships with civil society organizations, efforts have been deployed in order to strengthen women’s participation in the country’s political and economic life. The non-governmental organization Roots of Peace was created with the aim of bringing together women from all political parties represented in Parliament to participate in the efforts to consolidate peace and democracy. Angola joined the campaign He for She, which is aimed at raising the awareness of men and boys for the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence.