Group seeks emphasis on peace initiatives
Thursday, 15 March 2012 00:00 By Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo News – National
A NON-GOVERNMENTAL group, West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP), yesterday urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to peace building activities, interfaith dialogue and empowerment of women as they are effective ways to tackle the current insecurity problem in Nigeria.
WANEP made the call during the public presentation of a situational assessment report on women in conflict-prone communities in Nigeria titled: “Caught in the Divide” in Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Project Manager, Bridget Osakwe Usifo, said: “As international, government and civil society actors continue to seek meaningful and effective ways to tackle the current insecurity in Nigeria, an active or visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes should be considered”.
The group also advocated that action be taken to promote equal participation and opportunities for women at decision-making levels right from the local community structures to the formalised government sectors in the three-tiers of government.
The book presentation was an expression of the group’s effort to highlight the negative impact of violence on women. It also provides a reference point for further analysis, reflection and complimentary support for all those who continually fight for the peaceful involvement of women to decision making in all aspects of life.
“The book is dedicated to all women who remain vulnerable and exposed to violence in whatever guise and means in Nigeria. It presents our solidarity, value and commitment to gender-based peace building and development in Nigeria”, Usifo added.
