The Global Peace Agenda for Women

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that at the sidelines of the recently held 78th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, the agenda for global peace was championed extensively by women at the First Ladies High Level Forum

In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared third Tuesday of September as International Day of Peace. This year, the day coincided with the opening day of the annual sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

The purpose of the day is to strengthen the ideals of peace and harmony around the world.

Essentially, the Peace Day is a call to action that recognises the individual and collective responsibility to foster peace which  contributes to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

First Ladies High Level Forum

This year, Nigerian First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu; Pastor Folu Adeboye; Pastor Folu Adeboye, Founder, African Missions Global, and other African First Ladies, called for global peace at the First Ladies High Level Forum at the 78th sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at Salvation Army Auditorium, International Justice Commission, New York.

Themed “Gender Actions for Peace: Ambition for Women Leaders as a Key Players on Global Peace”, it was championed by Prof Ada Okika, Africana Women Working Group at the UN; Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani; Framazaz Foundation and others.

Prof Okika of the African Women Working Group of the UN said since 2010, they have continued to advance the course of women in leadership positions through the program, First Ladies Becoming High Level Forum on SDG 16 and Targets to bring global awareness on the most needed roles of Fist ladies of Nations on women and peace.

Delegation

The high delegates at the event include Dr Monica Sanchez, CEO/Chief UN Representative, Miss CARICOM International Foundation; Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Vice President of the Association of World Citizens and President of the Federation of World Peace and Love; Dr. Danny Glover, UNICEF Humanitarian Ambassador; Ambassador of African Union to the USA; and Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella First Female Deputy Commissioner, New York Police Department.

The first ladies at the event were Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi/President of African First Ladies Peace Mission; Hilda Suka-Mafudze; Madame Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, First Lady of the Congo; Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of Bahamas; Madam Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone; Madam Constancia Mangue de Obiang, First Lady of Equatorial Guinea; Lady Nei Meme, First lady of Kiribati; and Madam Kristale Ivezaj-Rama, the First Lady of Prishtina.

Nigeria’s first lady was accompanied by wives of governors including that of Lagos and Imo, Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu and Chioma Uzodinma, respectively. 

Bell of Peace

Beyond the several sessions that held, the first ladies marked the 2023 UN Day of Peace with prayers and ringing of the Peace Bell. The Bell of Peace symbolises The Desire for World Peace. 

At the 2023 UNGA, the women rang for three things; “global sustainability, love and peace, as well as the world as one”.

Role of Women as Peace Makers 

 While wishing for Divine Peace for the world at large as the 517th person that rang the World Peace Bell, Mrs. Tinubu earlier in her speech, urged the women to make use of their soft power in advocating for peace and pursuing democracy, urging them to contribute in reducing underage violence.

She said: “The journey towards a lasting peace requires dialogue, engagement and empowerment of all members of society, in particular women in leadership roles. Women bring unique perspectives, qualities, compassion and experience which can play transformative roles in conflict resolution, peace and sustainable development.

“As peace keepers, we contribute to reducing underage violence. As mediators, trauma killing counsellors and policy makers, women work to transform relationships and address the root of violence. Finally, as educators and  participants in the development process, women contribute to build in the capacity of their communities and nations.”

Also speaking, Founder, African Missions Global, Pastor Folu Adeboye, urged the First Ladies not to let their husbands cause trouble for their respective countries or go to war.

She used Biblical references to highlight the importance of a woman or wife to a leader in the peace and development of a society.

Also speaking in one of the sessions Mrs. Ijeoma Ogalla, President of Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), who was ably represented by the Vice President, Mrs. Zainab Akpan, wife of the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, said peace will not come unless people make it happen.

She said: “Today, we remember that women have been the major victims of wars, conflicts and inequalities. But women are more than just victims; they are also powerful agents of peace.  

“As I ring this bell, we honour all women who are working tirelessly to build a more peaceful world. 

“Let us all commit to creating a world where all women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination, and where they can fully participate in building and sustaining peace.”

Presentation of the Shadow Report

At the event, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, also presented the SDG 16 Nigeria 2022 Shadow Report 2023 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

The report was prepared using a Transparency International global template which helps for cross chapter comparison amongst countries and was produced by CISLAC as TI Nigeria under the project which seeks to improve democratic accountability of public institutions and anti-corruption deficits by Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) which is supported by the European Union.

He said the report, which is the 6th edition of a series of annual shadow reports, seeks to measure Nigeria’s progress on SDG 16 specifically targets 16.4 which deals with anti-money laundering, 16.5 which looks at beneficial ownership and 16.10 which looks at access to information.

In this year’s report, CISLAC noted an improvement in two indicators- policy area of Beneficial Ownership and political party & Campaign Finance provision enacted under the Electoral Act on 25th February 2022.

Rasfanjani further posited that achieving the SDGs will become most challenging where there is no solution to the aforementioned challenges of tackling corruption. He however hoped that the recommendations in the Shadow Report be followed through by the appropriate authorities to guarantee the protection of the lives and freedom of Nigerians as well as reduce corruption within the government.