Participation

When Béata Murekatete was growing up in rural Rwanda, she never would have imagined she'd end up working for Parliament.

She's not a lawmaker, but everything she does touches the law. She's a researcher, and she spends her days in villages around Rwanda researching reports for parliamentarians about issues with which ordinary Rwandans might need a helping hand.

When Johanna Sigurdardottir campaigned to be prime minister of Iceland last year, she vowed to bring an end to the "age of testosterone."

Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci announced Wednesday the appointment, out of on 27 "senior diplomatic posts," of four women.

Medelci who spoke at the opening of a cycle of conferences for diplomatic and consular heads newly assigned abroad, however, said three women were already outside the country bringing to seven the number of Algerian women diplomats.

The National Women's Council over the weekend inaugurated a water project that will serve seven families of impaired ex-combatants in Rutaraka village, Nyagatare sector in Nyagatare district.

The council also constructed a feeder road that connects the beneficiaries' village to the main road.

Mrs Gifty Ohene-Konadu, NPP Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem South, on Thursday, called for massive support for women candidates in the impending district level elections, scheduled for December 28.

She said: "to vote for women is to vote for unity, progress and development."

A Women's organization in Cote d'Ivoire, the International Forum of Women for Development and Peace (FIFEM), on Tuesday launched a nation-wide campaign, urging Ivorian women to vote massively in Sunday's presidential polls, PANA reported from here.

The campaign train criss-crossed Abidjan, the capital, and will go through other major cities in the country.

Liberia's Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., hailed Liberian women for the role they played in ending the country's 14 years conflict. He observed that notwithstanding the injustices and violations Liberian women suffered during the country's civil war, they emerged as key players in bringing an end to conflict in Liberia.

Speaking at 10th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution on women, peace and security in New York last week, Mr Eriya Kategaya said Uganda is committed to strengthening collaboration on enhancing women's participation and empowerment in conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution.

As the 2011 elections are around the corner, the Nigerian woman has been challenged to participate fully in governance.

This call was made by the Lagos State deputy governor, Princess Sarah Sosan,during Arise Women Conference 2010 tagged "The King's Daughter". Sosan, who was the special guest of honor at the occasion, said it is high time women took up their responsibilities in nation building.

Ghana has finalised the National Plan of Action for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in which women's participation in peace and security institutions and conflict prevention would be increased.