Yesterday morning, the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Inclusion hosted the South West Zonal Stakeholders Consultative 2 Day Workshop for the Development of Nigeria’s 3rd National Action Plan on Women,Peace & Security in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Abuja.
When conflict situations arise,women,children & girls are usually the worst hit victims
Unfortunately,when fence mending, reconciliation and resolution mechanisms are being wrought, the worst hit victims of conflict & crisis:the involvement and voices of women are usually left out in the peace building solution,resolution forging process.
The United Nations entity sought to encourage Countries all over the world to correct this anomaly with its Resolution 1325 by encouraging Countries to draw up National Action Plans on Women,Peace & Security to encourage the active involvement of women in finding solutions to security and peace related issues which affects them most fundamentally.
The 2nd National Action Plan drawn up by Nigeria recently lapsed and this workshop seeks to distill the position of the South West into a workable document which will form part of the basis of a policy document adopted nationwide as the 3rd National Action Plan on Women,Peace & Security.
Participants at this all important zonal engagement include the Chief Host; Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Inclusion; Hon( Mrs) Toyin Balogun,the United Nations Consultant ; Mrs Mahelia,Chairman House Committee on Security & Strategy; Alh Dawood Al Ameen,Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs; Hon (Mrs) Comforter Olajide,Vice Chairman Committee on Women Affairs; Hon Wale Canada,Vice Chairman House Committee on Culture and Tourism/member House Committee on Women Affairs;Hon Bisi Oluranti Oyewo Micheal,PS Ministry of Women Affairs Oyo ; Mrs Dolapo Popoola,Director Women Programs Oyo; Mr Diya,Gender Pillar Lead Oyo,Mrs Ronke Igein.
Other participants include Directors of Women Programs from the other 5 states of the South West,Chief Ayorinde Baale Ekotedo,Kabiyesi Adegoroye( 4th in line to the Deji of Akure),other royal father’s from all over the south west,representatives of the 3 major faiths from all over the South West , representatives of Civil Society Organisations led by JDPC,Women Groups all over the South West led by Chief Mrs Modupe Omotayo and representatives of the Army,Police,NSCDC and Vigilante from all South West States
Useful insights were derived at the end of the first day of deliberations.
