Women seek role in peace

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Women activists today asked the government to ensure meaningful participation of women in the peace process and to implement the National Action Plan of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security effectively.

A two-day national conference on ‘Grass Root Women’s Participation in Peace Building’ organised by Shantimalika, a network of 18 organisations, started today with the aim of sharing community level peace initiative with policy makers and stakeholders.

More than 50 peace practitioners from Gorkha, Dhading, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu are participating in the conference.

Naina Kala Thapa, Chairperson of National Women’s Commission said the peace building process should start from the household and women’s participation in the process is a must, adding that the National Action Plan is essential to ensure women’s proportional participation in the process.

During conflict, women and children are among the most vulnerable groups and the plan is one of the most important instruments to address the issues of women during conflict, peace process and conflict resolution, added Thapa. She further asked women to participate seriously in developing sustainable peace in the country.

Bandana Rana, President of Saathi and member of the technical committee of the Action Plan said effective implementation of UNSCR 1325 and 1820 had become even more important for achieving meaningful and sustainable peace as Nepal is in the transitional phase.

She said there cannot be peace without meaningful participation, protection and empowerment of women and the plan is needed to prevent violence against women.

She further added that the plan would help mainstream gender issues in the decision making process and address sexual and domestic violence against women.

She further stressed the need to ensure women’s participation in all the agencies of the peace building process, including security agencies.