Women must be central to peace talks says former president

The voices of women are critical in peace negotiations, it was claimed today.

Former president Mary Robinson said if more women were involved in resolutions there would be a greater chance of having lasting solutions.

Ms Robinson told a conference on women, peace and conflict in Dublin that a national action plan to bring women to the forefront in war-torn countries would bolster Ireland’s human rights reputation and voice.

“Where women are excluded or are absent from the table, the agreed solutions often fail to recognise the impact of violence on women and children,” said the human rights advocate.

“If women were given more opportunities to engage in conflict prevention and peace negotiations, it is likely that solutions would be more holistic and effective.

“By expediting a national plan to deal with women and conflict, Ireland could draw on our own experience of conflict resolution.”

Ms Robinson is a special advisor to the Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence, which organised the conference attended by 200 delegates.

The group of 14 organisations launched a new report, which outlined the case for an Irish national action plan.

The group claimed that if implemented, the Government would fulfil its commitment to a UN resolution to involve women in all aspects of conflict prevention, and enhance its accountability and credibility in conflict resolution.

However, adequate funding and staffing would have to be assigned within Government departments to ensure that Ireland played a full role at an international level.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin opened the conference by adding his name to an international campaign saying no to violence against women.

“This campaign sends a strong message that violence against women is an abuse of human rights, and that ending violence against women should be high on the global agenda,” said Mr Martin, who ensured was among 35 states to join the campaign.

“The EU has a vital role to play in this process.”

It is hoped one million signatures will be on the petition when it is handed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon by UNIFEM – the women’s fund at the United Nations – on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women later this month.