Domestication of UNSCR 1325 in Edo State: WANEP, Edo State Government, Police, CSOs, renewed commitment
A 2-Day Review Meeting on Localization of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and Women, Peace and Security in Edo State, Nigeria, has been held in Benin.
The meeting which was under the auspices of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria, in partnership with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), with support from global Affairs Canada, brought together stakeholders comprising both state and non-state actors to review the draft State Action Plan (SAP) in order to align it with Nigeria's 3rd National Action Plan (NAP).
Declaring the meeting open, the Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development- Chief Mrs Bisi Idaomi, said she was honored to address the stakeholders at the two-day review meeting on the Edo State Action Plan of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. She said the resolution was a landmark document that recognizes the critical role women play in promoting peace and security.
According to her, "the UNSCR 1325 emphasizes the importance of women's participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes. The resolution calls for the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence in conflict situations, and it promotes the empowerment of women and girls in post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts."
The Commissioner who was represented by an official of the Ministry- Ms Precious Osawe, said she was pleased to note that Edo State is confident and committed to the successful implementation of the Action Plan, which include increased women's representation; gender based violence response by providing support services for survivors; and capacity building of stakeholders on UNSCR 1325.
She however highlighted the following challenges: limited resources, cultural barriers, etc.
She urged all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to implementing the Action Plan and promoting women's empowerment, mobilize resources to support the implementation of the Action Plan, and foster partnerships among government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Welcoming the stakeholders, the National Network Coordinator (NNC) of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding- Chief Dr. Bridget Osakwe over 1,500 community women have been equipped with peacebuilding skills to wade into conflict and ensure peaceful resolution in project areas. She said WANEP's major achievements have been the drafting of Local and State Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 in Balanga and Kwami Lags in Gombe State; Katagum and Toro in Bauchi State; Maiduguri Municipal Area in Bornu State and Edo State Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.
Hear her: "In Edo State, the draft State Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 will be reviewed to align with Nigeria's 3rd National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, utilizing the localization strategy.
"The localization strategy adopts a bottom-up approach to implementing 1325. It aims to bring together the key local actors, including local authorities and civil society, to identify ways in which UNSCR 1325 and the supporting resolutions, and the Nigerian National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325, are relevant to the local peace and security needs and challenges; promote ownership of the NAP; and generate concrete commitments to its implementation".
Giving an overview of the objectives of the meeting, WANEP's Head of Program- Mrs Patience Ikpeh-Obaulo, said the meeting aimed to build the understanding of the UNSCR 1325 and Nigerian NAP 1325 among local government authorities, local women activists and leaders, youth activists and leaders, civil society, and marginalized groups in the State. She said the meeting also aimed to discuss the draft Edo SAP on UNSCR 1325 and identify concrete actions to implement it.
"The meeting will provide opportunity to promote systematic coordination and greater cross-sectoral cooperation among Ministries, Departments and Government Agencies, civil society, local leaders, UN entities and multilateral institutions in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) resolutions", she said.
Delivering a keynote lecture on "Understanding Gender and Peacebuilding", the Executive Director of Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program- Barr. Agatha Osieke said peacebuilding is the process or actions taken to create a sustaining peaceful society by addressing the "root causes" of conflict and promoting positive relationship. She said for a peacebuilding exercise to be successful, it must be based on the philosophy of inclusivity, which include gender equity, gender equality, and social justice.
Quoting Johan Galtung, the peace actor said approaches to peace include: peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding.
Also speaking, the Edo State Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria- Comrade Kingsley Kefe said the meeting was happening at a critical moment, when there is so much insecurity in the state. He said the resultant effects are more on women.
"The UN Security Council recognized and acknowledged the impact of conflict on women and the need for women's participation in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, hence the need for the UNSCR 1325.
"UNSCR 1325 is one of the crowning achievements of the global women's movement and one of the most inspired decisions of the United Nations Security Council. The recognition that peace is inextricably linked with gender equality and women's leadership was a radical step for the highest body tasked with the maintenance of international peace and security", he said.
The facilitator of the meeting and Women, Peace and Security Consultant- Ms. Amy Oyekunle gave an overview of the Nigeria's NAP. She gave some critical Women, Peace and Security issues to include: restricted movement due to religious and cultural practices; human trafficking; ritual killings/organ harvesting, limited women representation in governance, peace and security architecture; cultism and gang-related activities, kidnapping; drug abuse, one-chance-mobility; and sexual and cyber-based GBV. According to the WPS Consultant, strategies to mitigate the above issues include: public awareness, advocacy, and legislation/legal framework.
Ms. Oyekunle urged both state and non-state actors to collaborate in order to make WPS a success in Edo State. She said some of the challenges facing the implementation of WPS include: lack of implementation/ enforcement; lack of political will; lack of capacity by relevant agencies; inadequate budget provision for programmes; lack of funding for prosecution where needed; lack of proper youth engagement; lack of inclusivity; inadequate sensitization of stakeholders; limited implementation by actors.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika applauded WANEP for coming up with the meeting. He said Edo State is long overdue to have her State Action Plan 1325. He said the Police will continue to promote gender equality and social justice in the discharge of its duties in the State.
A former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Edo State, and Coordinator of National Council for Women Society, Hon. Inumidun Idehen commended WANEP and said she has long dreamt of the day. She reiterated that the meeting has ignited a fresh fire on the stakeholders present, and called for a sustenance.
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Nigeria, Edo State branch- Princess Francisca Elema, said Edo FIDA will not relent in ensuring that the Edo State Action Plan is domesticated.
A traditional ruler and the Adolor of Ulemon- Chief Henry Ekoma, said the meeting is an eye-opener and assured that the message of Edo SAP will be aired in Ulemon Community. Chief Ekoma who is also the Ihama of Else said the contribution of women in peace and security will be commended.
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