As an equal component of any society, women should have equal and active part...

As an equal component of any society, women should have equal and active participation in formulating political, economic and social policies. Equally, as victims of exclusion, as vulnerable targets in conflicts and as mothers and breadwinners, women have high stakes in conflict prevention and resolution, and in all issues related to peace and security. Yet, in the name of tradition, in the name of culture and sometimes even in the name of security, women have continued to be excluded, and too often they have been set aside while men brokered peace agreements. We are encouraged, therefore, that more and more women are challenging this viewpoint and are increasingly demanding involvement as stakeholders in their communities. Their potential as peacebuilders must now be harnessed.