When Adamawa influential women met for peace and security

It was not the normal women gathering that brings them from all works of life to discuss the way forward for the generality of the womenfolk, this time around it was the crème de crème of Adamawa influential women seeking an end to the spate of violence in their region. The meeting, which was funded […]

It was not the normal women gathering that brings them from all works of life to discuss the way forward for the generality of the womenfolk, this time around it was the crème de crème of Adamawa influential women seeking an end to the spate of violence in their region.

The meeting, which was funded by the European Union and implemented by the UN Women in collaboration with UNICEF and the government of Nigeria, was aimed at promoting women’s engagement in peace and security in Northern Nigeria.

The meeting, which was a strategy of Adamawa State’s influential women in the Diaspora, was also meant to push for the signing into law of the Adamawa State Equal Opportunity Bill and the launch the State Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.

The wife of a former vice president, Mrs Titi Abubakar, who graced the occasion, noted that the spate of killings in some states across the country was inhuman and unacceptable.

She called on the womenfolk not to sit on the sidelines any longer, adding that urgent steps should be taken to the nip the menace in the bud, before it escalates into a full blown war.

She said, “Women have always been agents of peace. We are tired of all these killings. We are women and are mostly affected in a situation of violence. We must come together to lend our voices for peace but most of all we must support our women to take up elective positions to galvanize for the rights of our future generations.”

Earlier, the director general of the Institute of Legislative Studies, Professor Ladi Hamalai, observed that some mothers are not equipped to train their children and need help in ensuring that they do not groom criminals.

She suggested that development kit tools for mothers should be provided so assist them, while teachers should also be provided necessary tools as they handle the education of the children so that they grow to appreciate the importance of peace.

Her words: “For us to have sustainable peace, we need to encourage schools to get involved in peace mannerism, they need to have peace clubs in all secondary, primary and tertiary institutions.”

Meanwhile, the programme manager, Women, Peace and Security UN Women, Njeri Karuru, explained that the meeting seeks to increase women’s engagement in leadership and decision making positions with respect to peace and security strictures and institutions.

“Women need to advance gender equality and help to ensure the protection of women and children from violence in conflict settings; to mitigate the impact of conflict upon women and girls while establishing a conducive environment for effective implementation and monitoring of gender equality commitments in Nigeria,” Karuru stated.

Senator Binta Masi Garba, who was honoured at the event for her numerous contributions towards uplifting and empowering women in the North East, noted that efforts were in top gear to pass the Equal Opportunity Bill.

According to her, but for the grey areas and some conflicting recommendations made in the bill, it would have been passed, but added that those issues were being looked into.

She said, “On the 35% affirmative action for women, the only reason why it did not fly is because we do not need it. We have noticed that we have the numbers and if we put our act in order, we would be able to surpass that quota.”

“We only need to come together and support each other, then whatever we need to achieve we would do so, we must put an end to sentiments and religious ideas that divide us just because we want to score a few points or win elective offices,” Senator Binta said.