Include more women on peace missions - Kadaga
Sep 07, 2015
More women should be included on UN peace keeping missions in order to tap into their potential in conflict resolution. This call was made by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
By Vision Reporter
More women should be included on UN peace keeping missions in order to tap into their potential in conflict resolution.
This call was made by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
Speaking at the 10th Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament, Kadaga said conflict situations are characterised by the absence of orderly society, policing systems and lack of access to justice systems.
“I would like to propose that each peace keeping contingent should automatically include a women’s unit so that the women in conflict situations can have an opportunity to raise their voices,” said Kadaga.
Kadaga made her contribution on the theme: “Peace: Innovating to End Violence Against Women and Harmful Practices in Particular in Conflict Situations; during the Meeting in New York, on Sunday.
She said that available statistics show that women peacekeepers form only about 14% of the entire missions yet conflicts are spread simultaneously throughout different countries in the world.
Kadaga said involving women was one way of implementing UN Resolution 1325, which reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping and related matters.
The Resolution urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.
Kadaga also proposed that a clear reporting structure be established and channels for access to justice be formalized within camps.
Kadaga observed the need to follow up cases of sexual and other offences in countries where offenders are returned. She added that a clear structure of access to justice in the country where the offences are committed is also necessary.
“It is essential to have counselling and rehabilitation systems built into the peace keeping operations. At the level of parliaments, I believe it is necessary to periodically demand for a report on the conduct of our peace-keeping operations,” she said.