The Executive of Mano River Union for Peace Network (MARWOPNET) in corroboration with West African Network for Peace on Wednesday July 1^st 2009, held consultation with Parliamentarians in Committee Room number one.

The aim of the consultation was to share information and advocate for the implementation of United Nations Security for Conflict Resolution 1325 which was adopted by the United Nations in 2000 but has not been incorporated into the laws of this country. The resolution gives equal opportunity rights to women, condemns violence against women and children and encourages economic empowerment.

Former lecturer and executive member of MARWOPNET, Dr Nana Pratt briefed women about the role of women in conflict resolution, noting that women can play a vital role in the prevention, protection and as well participate meaningfully in conflict resolution. She said women should be given more responsibilities in their respective communities to make their own input, for development in these areas. Dr Pratt went further to state that the issue of women and children has been treated with levity. She used the opportunity to appeal to MPs to speedily ratify UN resolution 1325. “To this we need your support to ratify this resolution,” Dr Pratt urged. Consultations have been held in the provinces on this issue, where according to her, people who attended the occasion made meaningful contributions.

United Nations representative Eunice Njovana reminded parliamentarians about the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action where human rights for women were discussed. She also mentioned the outcome document of the 23^rd special session of the United Nations General Assembly entitled ‘Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21^st Century’. “Economic empowerment will put women on the vantage in their respective communities,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Gender Affairs, Musu Kamdeh added that women undergo lot of violence in society. Other MPs also recognised the merits of Resolution 1325 and vowed to lobby their colleagues to pass it into law when it came up. She appealed for the security of girls, children and women. Ms Njovana supported this with her own statement, “girls take the lead in the security of the home; MPs should take the lead in the security of children, girls and women.”