ECOWAS calls for greater involvement of women in conflict resolution

Women are a strong force in actualizing peace in every society, that is why the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for greater involvement of women in mediation and conflict resolution processes.

The regional body's Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Dr Fatimata Dia Sow, made the call during an ongoing workshop on Capacity Building in Dialogue and Mediation for Women in Abuja.
“It is important that we all as women and men raise our voices to bring to the attention of all key stakeholders the important role of women as agents of change and to demand for their inclusion in all peace processes,” Dia said.

She explained that the workshop was part of the contribution by the ECOWAS Commission and partners to enhance the engagement of women in the North East of Nigeria in the process through effective mediation and dialogue.
Dia noted that the forthcoming elections in Nigeria provided an important avenue for women’s inclusion in the peace processes in north east of the country

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zainab Maina, described the meeting as timely.
She said it came in the wake of “a series of conflicts and increased terrorism threats and actions in Nigeria, most especially in the north eastern part of the country with ripple effects on the whole country and the citizens.”