In Nigeria, UN deputy chief says 'messages of women' vital to sustainable peace, development

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In Nigeria, UN deputy chief says 'messages of women' vital to sustainable peace, development

UN, 20 Jul 2017

URL: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57225#.WXYTh4jyuUl
20 July 2017 – Urgent action is needed now towards the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well ensuring their voices are heard in all aspects of society, the United Nations deputy chief told reporters in Abuja today as part of a first-ever UN-African Union trip focused on women, peace and security.

“It is about action. It is about implementation,” Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the press in the Nigerian capital, where she also spotlighted the importance advancing gender equality as a precondition for sustainable development for all.

During the joint AU-UN high-level trip, which will move on from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ms. Mohammed will be accompanied by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the Special Envoy of the AU on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop.

“It is a new era,” Ms. Mohammed continued, “a new era where we have many tools at our disposal.”

“We know that from the economy to stability and peace, we are not able to achieve our goals if we are only investing in half of the population. “Human resource is a major asset of a nation and a continent. Women often account for half. But they lack the investment we need,” she added, urging that women's voices be heard in all aspects of society.