Greetings of peace from URI-Africa.
This is to inform you that URI Africa took part in a meeting organized for women to reflect on the issue of peace, dignity and human trafficking challenge in Africa.
The meeting brought together 41 women leaders from Angola, Mozambique, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Morocco and Madagascar.
URI-Africa expressed its commitment to partner with the women organizations and bring their voice, aspiration, concern and call for action to the policy makers through Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union. URI-Africa also re-committed for women’s voices to be heard in Africa more than ever.
The meeting, which was organized by The AACC Family Life and Gender Justice department, was held at the Desmond Tutu Centre in Nairobi, Kenya from September 23rd to 26, 2015.
During the conference presentations were made on:
- The role and place of women in the holy book
- Gender and peace building / women’s involvement in peace building
- African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want- A Peaceful, Prosperous and Secure Africa
- Gender-based violence and cultural practices
- The challenge of human trafficking
- Combating human trafficking
- Women and human trafficking
The women noted:
- That the issue of gender consideration has become of importance in decision-making processes in all spheres of life and gender balancing involves assuring female/male representation;
- That gender mainstreaming is not solely about advocating for women’s rights, but about critically analyzing all the challenges and opportunities for reforms and reconstruction with respect to existing gender roles and inequalities;
- The alarming statistics of human trafficking, noting that human trafficking is a global problem and the main victims are women, children and youth, refugees and IDPs, and that thousands of men, women and children are trafficked across the globe every year;
- The trade in human persons which constitutes a shocking offence against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights;
- The fact that human trafficking is the slavery of modern times, a serious violation of human rights with lasting harm to its victims.
The women acknowledged:
- That there is need to recognize the underutilized and undervalued contribution women can make to preventing war, to building peace and to bringing individuals and societies back in harmony and reconciliation;
- That lasting peace cannot be achieved without the participation of women and the inclusion of gender perspectives and participation in peace processes;
- That faith-based organizations have a key role to play in combating human trafficking.
The women affirmed:
- That male and female bear the image of God alike and hence require equal treatment.
- To be agents of peace.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
In peace and gratitude,
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa & Representative of URI to African Union, Economic Commission for Africa and UN office at Nairobi
