The United Nations Office for West Africa held a consultative meeting in Dakar with West African Women leaders within the framework of the Global Open Days on Resolution 1325 (2000) of the United Nations Security Council related to Women, Peace and Security.
The "Open days" on Resolution 1325 intends to be a forum for dialogue among women activists and leaders, the civil society and the UN system on the role of women in peace-building. It aims at promoting the involvement of women and further increasing the recognition of their specific needs during the peace processes.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, Said Djinnit welcomed progress made in the implementation of Security Council resolutions on women since the last "Open day” for West Africa which took place in Dakar on June 8, 2010.
Since then, a regional forum on Women, Peace and Security in West Africa was held in Dakar in September 2010, which led to the adoption of the Dakar Declaration and a unique regional action plan. The plan was presented to the United Nations Secretary-General in New York on October 2010 on the occasion of the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of resolution 1325. A roundtable with technical and financial partners also took place in Guinea on April 15 2011 in order to raise funds for the implementation of the regional plan.
These efforts have generated increased ownership and led to the adoption of a number of new national action plans in West Africa, including in Gambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, bringing the total number of countries with such plans to eight, half of the countries in the sub region.
"These progresses have been achieved through the commitment of all, women and men. Gender mainstreaming is not only women's business. Men should also do more to make the full participation of women towards peace a reality, "stated Said Djinnit as he was reiterating the determination of UNOWA to remain mobilized for women in support to the efforts of regional organizations.
