UN launches awareness campaign on women, peace and security in Mali
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Monday launched in Mopti, central Mali, an awareness campaign on Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, the UN mission told PANA.
The campaign, which targets 20 localities in the central regions of Mali, emphasizes the importance of women's participation in the peace and reconciliation process, as well as their essential role in decision-making bodies and in the upcoming electoral process.
This MINUSMA initiative aims to ensure that women's voices are heard in order to contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
The first session of the campaign took place in the rural commune of Socoura, in the Mopti region, with over 60 participants, including 53 women and seven men.
According to the same source, these exchanges helped raise awareness on gender equality and women's empowerment, not only as fundamental human rights, but also as essential elements for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
Participants stressed the importance of women's political participation in achieving these goals.
"Our presence in the decision-making spheres and our participation in conflict resolution is imperative for the respect of resolutions and laws in favour of women and gender equality," said Malian activist Fatoumata Kouyaté, adding that this campaign helps to further edify the content of 1325 (2000), which many women still ignore.
"This resolution is proof enough of the importance of women in building peace. Here in Mopti, the presidency of the National Council of Civil Society is held by a woman. This is one of the positive effects of 1325, which urges women to work for peace," said Thérèse Dara, a member of a civil society association called "Benkadi".
Local authorities, including the representative of the regional directorate for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family, customary and religious authorities of the region, as well as two delegations of the local youth council participated in this first session, which will be followed by similar initiatives in other regions of the country, according to the UN mission.
One of the main recommendations of the participants was to hold this type of information session on a regular basis, which, according to them, also favours capacity building on the promotion of gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence.
Financial support was also requested from MINUSMA to promote income-generating activities for the empowerment of women.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/RA 8May2023
