Women, children constitute 90 percent casualties in conflicts – Women Minister

ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report) – The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has disclosed that women and children constitute 90 percent of the casualties during conflicts, regretting that the situation has retarded progress in meeting national objectives. 

The Minister, who gave the figure in a presentation to mark the 2014 International Day of Peace called for concerted efforts to stem the tide of violence and conflicts in the country. She also noted that women are not perpetrators of conflicts neither are they directly involved in war or decision making processes that lead to conflicts, but are always at the receiving end of the negative outcomes. 

According to her, the apparent need for women to be involved in peace and security processes led to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 that was adopted by the UN Security Council in October, 2000. She added that the Nigerian Government through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has come up with a National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria. 

“The NAP was developed with inputs from various stakeholders and when implemented will be expected to mitigate the disproportionate impact of violent conflicts on women and girls. The NAP will transform the lives of women and girls and greatly improve the prospects for peace and security throughout the country. The five pillars of NAP which includes prevention, participation, protection, promotion and prosecution is a reflection of government’s commitment and accountability in ensuring the security of women and girls during armed conflicts,” she added. 

“It is also a practical and operational tool for women, children and communities affected by armed conflicts to be informed of government’s response to their plight, including programme options available to them.”