WO-PRD advocates for women’s inclusion in decision-making and empowerment in the Lake Chad region
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The network of Women Organisations for Peace, Recovery, and Development (WO-PRD) in the Lake Chad Basin has urged the governors’ forum to include women in the decision-making process and empowerment in the Lake Chad region.
According to the women’s network, engaging women in decision-making will combat gender-based violence (GBV) in insurgency-affected communities of the region.
The call was made over the weekend, by the Secretary General of WO-PRD, Husna Ibrahim, while emphasizing the roles of women in the implemention of Regional Stabilisation Strategy (RSS) in the Lake Chad Basin.
Besides involving women in decision-making, Husna stated, “Despite our relevance in the region, women-led civil society organisations, however, face barriers that limit their engagements in regional stabilisation strategies.
She, therefore, called on the six-member governors’ forum to prioritise women-led organisations by ensuring them access to funds to sustain durable solutions with improved well-being of vulnerable populations in the region.
“Women’s voices should be heard, while our contributions are valued in overcoming the various challenges in the region.She stated that the network of WO-PRD has the unique capacity to provide first aid and develop tailored responses to enhance the well-being of vulnerable groups of people in the over-a-decade insurgency.
Highlighting the demands of women at the three-day meeting of the forum, the Secretary General said, “The six governors should ensure women’s participation in decision-making and implementation of phase two,” adding that they will strengthen community resilience by supporting women’s structural projects.
Husna noted that the engagement of women could also provide a conducive environment for their empowerment by the governors, United Nations (UN) agencies, and other development partners.
Other demands of the women’s network included the establishment of accessible care centres, secured space for victims of GBV and their children, and the implementation of initiatives that encourage girl-child education to reduce early marriages in communities.
She further demanded that the governors recognise women’s role as mediators and promoters of local conflict resolution initiatives.
Besides the role of women in conflict resolution, she noted, “Our declaration testifies to the determination and resilience of women in the Lake Chad Basin,” adding that women are working tirelessly to build a stable and prosperous future for all in the region.
