Women, Peace & Security
The wife of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, has called for synergy, complementarity, strong partnership and collaboration between the African First Ladies Peace Mission and the Commission for the promotion of continental peace and development.
In a goodwill message to the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, which opened in Abuja, Nigeria, Thursday, Mrs. Ouedraogo enumerated the Commission's efforts to sustain democracy, good governance and peace in the region, and reiterate its commitment to support and participate in all peace processes within “our nations and beyond.”
An ECOWAS Commission statement obtained by PANA here Friday quoted her as saying the Commission had already set up a network for peace and security to promote strategic partnership for women empowerment and gender equality in peace and security in West Africa, adding that since women and children were the major victims of wars and conflicts, they should be given key roles in conflict prevention and resolution.
Mrs. Ouedraogo disclosed that some 35 women had been trained in peace negotiations within the framework of the ECOWAS network, with the support of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the UN Women.
She expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and her colleagues for their prominent roles in promoting peace, and their contributions to the development of their countries, the region and the African continent.