Take part in conflict resolution, women urged

By Ann Zulu

AFRICAN women must rise up and take part in conflict resolution, Zambia’s ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union, Susan Sikaneta, has said.

Ms. Sikaneta said women were the majority in every country and therefore should play a key role in fostering peace in society.

She observed that women were rarely part of conflict resolution mechanisms, yet they were the custodians of culture in Africa.

Ms. Sikaneta said this in an exclusive interview with this reporter after the closing ceremony of the AU Peace and Security Council Retreat on practical steps to silence the guns in Africa by 2020 last week.

 “Why do we always want to remain a silent majority? There is strength in numbers. We should learn to take advantage of these numbers and advocate for peace on our continent,” Ms. Sikaneta said.

She noted that women were naturally known for peace-making, a character trait they should employ to build the culture of dialogue, peace and tolerance in their respective countries.

Ms. Sikaneta said it was important for women to stand up against conflict so as to secure peace and stability in the continent for future generations.

“Women are the people who keep homes together, so when there is a problem in the continent you send women as mediators or negotiators to lobby for peace. The chances of succeeding are greater because of the nature of women who are always working for peace,” she said.

Ms. Sikaneta called on women to be non-partisan in order for their peace-building effort to be effective.

“If we are to be involved in peace-building, we must be completely non-aligned. There has to be professionalism, honesty and persistence in our work of solving conflicts,” she said.