MONUSCO builds women leaders’ awareness about protection mechanisms

19 fév 2013

MONUSCO builds women leaders’ awareness about protection mechanisms

Bukavu, 14 February 2013 – On 6 February 2013, some fifty women leaders and a number of local administrative authorities of the territories of Kalehe and Mwenga, Sud Kivu province, took part in a day of reflection and exchange of ideas on the subject of "Women's participation in protection mechanisms". The day was organized by the Gender Affairs section of the regional office of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), in collaboration with the NGO Action for Peace and Concorde (ACP).

The participants, who mainly comprised leaders of women's associations, representatives of religious communities and a significant number of local administrative authorities, exchanged views on the strategies to be put in place for achieving a peaceful coexistence among the different population groups in the territory of Kalehe. They also reflected on the strategy and ways and means to be put in place for the rights enumerated in the national laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo and international legal instruments relevant to women's rights to be fully understood and implemented to ensure that that women's protection, both in conflict and normal situations, becomes a reality.

It was in this context that Ms. Toral Pattni, Coordinator of the MONUSCO Gender Affairs Office in Sud Kivu, reminded that participants of the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and in peacebuilding. She also recalled the key messages of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000, stressing the importance of women's full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, which, she said, requires the fully participation of women at all levels of decision-making for the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes.

During this meeting, the MONUSCO Public Information Office also had the opportunity to raise the participants' awareness of MONUSCO's mandate, thus allowing them to gain a better understanding of the UN Mission's role and efforts in the country.

The participants, for their part, praised the excellent organization of the meeting and expressed their wish to see such meetings held on a more frequent basis.

Tahina Andriamamonjitianasoa / MONUSCO