The Head of Gender Unit at United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Ms. Agathe Kéméalo M. Alitiloh – Telou has said the Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel (WGWYPS-WAS) seek to promote stability in West Africa and Sahel.
She disclosed this during the five day ongoing Annual General Meeting by Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel which commenced in Accra on September 18, 2023.
“It has become a custom since 2015 for us, members of the Working Group, to get together, during the week marking the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, and after a year of activity in our various representations.
She said the meeting is to give them the exercise of taking stock and defining new perspectives and directions in order to successfully carry out their mission,
Madam Agarthe stated that their mission is to support, promote and coordinate initiatives in favor of the participation of women and young people in the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security and subsequent resolutions, and of gender equality in the sub-region.
“This meeting further strengthens the actions already underway. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on and promote opportunities for dialogue to take root in order to preserve peace and stability in our countries, and to encourage the active involvement of women and young people in the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa.
“I would like to thank you all sincerely for your unwavering commitment to the implementation of UN resolutions 1325 (2000), 2250 (2015) and subsequent resolutions on women, youth, peace and security.
“Although much remains to be done, especially today, I believe and hope that all Working Group members continue to play an important role on the ground towards a peaceful and stable West Africa and Sahel,” she added.
Mrs. Theodora W. Anti in delivering the address on behalf of the Convenor of the Ghana Chapter of the UNOWAS Working Group on Women, Youth Peace and Security, Ms Queeneth Tawo called on Ghana and all states to commit seriously to the implementation of the National Action Plans of the 1325.
“As your Host the Ghana Chapter of the working Group believes that this 5day AGM will proffer sustainable recommendations that will help and contributed to peace and security in the sub-region and ultimately the safety of women and Children.
The five days meeting being held at Best Western Hotel in Accra-Ghana is under the theme “Unconstitutional take-over of governments and transitions in the Sahel region”.
It has participates from members of Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana (UNRC), Mr. Charles Abani, the Special Advisor to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the Accra Initiative among other key stakeholders in attendance.
The aim of this meeting is to strengthen the understanding and coordination of action in the implementation and follow-up of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000), 2250 (2015), and subsequent ones on women, youth, peace, and security.
However, the meeting in Ghana also aims to concretely propose strategies for greater involvement of women and youth in political dialogue in the ongoing crisis in the region.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
