GAMBIA: WIPNET Capacitises Women on UNSC Resolution 1325

Date: 
Friday, December 3, 2010
Source: 
Daily Observer
Countries: 
Africa
Western Africa
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security

Women In Peace Building Network(WENIP), under the auspices of West Africa Action Network for Peace Building (WANEP), with support from Action Aid The Gambia recently ended a two-day training for some 60 women drawn from all the regions on UNSC Resolution 1325 at the Jenoi Agricultural Centre in Lower River Region.

The aim of the training is to sensitise women on the dangers of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and emerging issues within the framework of the Alliance for the Promotion of Human Security, The training was in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the resolution. Its theme was: Women's participation in peacebuilding and human security towards sustainable peace and development in The Gambia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lamin Ceesay, programme officer of WANEP informed that the training is long overdue considering the crucial role women play in negotiating peace informally, both at family and at the community level. He confirmed that recent conflicts in West Africa target more civilians, and women and girls increasingly become the first causalities of armed conflict.

"Women and girls are also affected in different ways than men. They are often targets of violence because they are female. Yet, women are responsible for picking up the broken pieces of war-torn communities and struggle to put them back together."
He added, "but when it comes to negotiating peace and facilitating the reconstruction of societies after war, women are grossly underrepresented, marginalised and/or excluded. They are rarely seen when key decisions that affect their lives are being made. Their protection is neglected and their contributions to peacebuilding are unnoticed. Ceesay reminded participants to bear in mind that 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325 since its adoption in 2000.

He emphasised that it is time to review and assess world progress made in the world, particularly their region, where they must put in place mechanisms for implementing and monitoring resolution 1325 for equal and full participation of women in the maintenance and promotion of sustainable peace.

Modou Sanneh, coordinator of LRR Red Cross Branch, disclosed that women have achieved a lot in the country as politicians and have impacted greatly on governance and the promotion of a violent free society. He also disclosed that the government of The Gambia has made issues affecting women a priority for the successful achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and stressed that gender mainstreaming and women empowerment are fundamental Human Rights.

Sanneh however, said that six out of every 10 people of the world's poorest are women and only 16 per cent of the worlds women have managed to become parliamentarians. He confirmed that in spite of the challenges women face, they play an important role in the socio-economic development of the world, as well as not relenting to sustain their domestic function of bearing children and nurturing them to become better persons in future.
The Coordinator of LRR Red Cross Branch appealed to the women to remain united and avoid quasi talks that usually breed segregation among them. Earlier Lamin Sady, a representative of the region, said that The Gambia government has achieved a lot by involving women in its national development. "The national Women's federation was recently launched as a manifestation of that reality.," he confirmed.

He advised participants to take the training seriously to enable them share with their counterpart s who could not attend the meeting, the knowledge that they have acquired as it is important because the role of women in the achievement The Gambia's incorporated vision 2020, poverty reduction Strategic Program (PRSP) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is essential.

Buwa Kinteh, WANEP-Gambia focal person at Lower River Region, welcomed the guests and participants to the training, while uliet Louis Wakka, who is administration and finance officer of WANEP-Gambia , gave the vote of thanks.