African First Ladies Peace Missions Advocate Women Inclusion in Peace Building

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The African First Ladies Peace Missions (AFLPM), has expressed it firm believe that increasing women’s inclusion and voice gives the World’s quest for peace the best chance of success.

Vice President (AFLPM), Maria De Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, who stated this noted that without women’s involvement there can be no peace, and without peace there is no sustainable and inclusive development.

Maria De Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, who doubles as the First Lady of the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, spoke in Abuja at a two-day capacity building programme for ECOWAS Women Parliamentarians and Community leaders.

The engagement on conflict prevention, Dialogue and preventive diplomacy seeks to meaningfully include women into peace and security thereby augmenting the capacity of the continent to promote peace, security and prosperity.

According to her, “With the capacity building program, we are committed to continuing to work closely with national institutions, international partners and civil society to drive progress in women, peace and security, supporting women, highlighting their vital work and amplifying their voices”.

“There is no time to waste. The Women, Peace and Security agenda is one of our best hopes for a more peaceful future and a livable planet”.

In her keynote address, the President, ECOWAS Female Parliament Association (ECOFEPA) Veronica Sesay, represented by the Secretary General of ECOFEPA, Maimouna Ceesay, tasked countries in the continent to leverage on women for the prevention of conflicts.

Ceesay however decried the negative impact social media play in escalating conflict and violence across the world.

Also, the Gender Peace and Security Coordinator, for the African Union Commission, Nadia Roguial, stressed that Governments, International and Regional originations and civil societies must work together to dismantle barriers that prevent women from taking leadership roles.

She added that the capacity building is expected to increase information and analysis on women participation in peace processes in Africa.

The capacity building programme had Women from the ECOWAS parliament, state governments in Nigeria, civil society organisations amongst others.

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