AMISOM Conference on the role of women in countering extremism ends in Djibouti
A three-day conference on the role of women in countering violent extremism yesterday closed with a call to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Federal Government to continue supporting Somali women counter violent extremism.
The conference, held in Djibouti city, between December 15 and 17, also made a number of key recommendations aimed at reinforcing the role of women in countering violent extremism.
The participants, drawn from various African countries, urged the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM and the civil society to work together on counter extremism initiatives to achieve better results.
The participants cited information sharing on counter extremism, women education and empowerment, defense and security and formulation of antiterrorism laws as some of the areas the three can work together.
The Somali Minister of State for Defense, Mohamed Haga, reassured participants that the Federal Government of Somalia will take necessary measures to implement the recommendations made by the conference.
Mr Haga reaffirmed that women will be involved in the formation and strengthening of the Somali National Army and other security forces, adding that there were tasks better performed by them.
In her closing remarks, the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Ms Benita Diop, said there was a need to empower Somali women to play an important role in countering violent extremism.
Said Ms Diop; “We need to build women’s capacity in civil society and security sector to counter the spread of violent extremism. This includes enhancing the ability of local, national and multinational women’s groups committed to working against violent extremism to conduct effective outreach and to train women.”
The AU Special Envoy emphasized that it was vital to encourage women’s participation and inclusion in the counter-extremism dialogue.
Ms Diop said results are normally positive when women are actively involved in counter extremism initiatives because of their influence in the family and community in general.
She thanked all Somali women who have already taken an active role in media outreach, civil society and public institutions, saying their decision was for the betterment of the country.
The Djibouti Minister for Women, Family Planning and Relations with the Parliament, Ms Hasna Barkat Daoud, saluted Somali women for their role in peace building and reconstruction processes in the horn of Africa country.
Ms Daoud urged the African Union to support the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted on 31 October, 2000.
The resolution urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.
The Minister reiterated Djibouti Government’s commitment to peace building in Somalia through its troops operating under AMISOM.
The Somali Deputy Minister for Women and Human Rights Development, Mumina Sheikh, thanked AMISOM and the African Union Commission for their continued support to Somali women, saying the meeting was important in helping women take active role in the security of their country.
“Somali women cannot afford to be just victims of violent extremism, they are part of solutions too,” Ms Sheikh said.
Mr Haga supported Ms Mumina’s sentiments, saluting the unforgettable role women played during times of war in Somalia and also thanked AMISOM troops for their self-sacrifice in securing the country.
The conference was attended by participants from the African Union, the Federal Government of Somalia, IGAD, counter-terrorisms practitioners, representatives of the Djiboutian government and members of civil society.
AMISOM has been at the forefront of strengthening the role of Somali women in countering violent extremism in Somalia, providing support to the government in developing the appropriate policy framework to support protection of their rights.
AMISOM was represented at the conference by civilian and military officials, including the Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Logistics and Support, Major-General James Nakibus Lakara, and the AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Ms Christine Alalo.