Involve Women in Peace Discussions to help in its sustainable Achievement in Ghana – SWIDA – Ghana to Stakeholders

The Executive Director for the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA – Ghana), Hajia Alima Sagito – Saeed has made a strong case for women’s participation in discussions on the achievement of peace in Ghana.

Hajia Alimah Sagito – Saeed who doubles as the Board Chair of the West Africa Network for PeaceBuilding – Ghana was delivering a speech at a public lecture organized by the Northern Youth Parliament at the Tamale Technical University.

The Public Lecture was part of activities preceding the official launch of the Northern Youth Parliament as a mouthpiece for youth development in the northern part of the country.

Speaking on the theme “Repositioning the Northern Youth for Peace, Progress and Development: the Gender Perspective”, Hajia Alima stated that peace cannot be entirely achieved when women are left out of the key discussions aimed at achieving and sustaining peace, particularly when women make up more than half of the world’s population.

She indicated that women engage in informal roles of peacebuilding such as providing humanitarian services and social welfare, facilitating spaces for negotiation through advocacy and exerting influence through cultural and social means.

Mrs. Saeed added that women also have central roles in many families and communities, giving them unique perspectives and advantage in recognizing unusual patterns of behavior and impending conflict, as she placed emphasis on the need for equal participation of young women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives.

According to the Chairperson of the WANEP Ghana Board, there is the need to take a closer look at the societal structures that inhibit women’s full contribution and participation in enhancing development and find effective ways of making those structures welcoming to young women’s perspectives when it comes to peace in the Northern Region.

Hajia Alimah therefore recommended the empowerment of young women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, as well as educating youths on the importance of maintaining peace in the Region as key strategies stakeholders in youth development can adopt to contribute effectively to promoting peace and development.

The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA – Ghana) has over the years been working at empowering young people especially women, in the various areas of youth development.

The Northern Youth Parliament is a youth grouping recognized by the National Youth Authority, working to empower youths in the northern parts of Ghana with knowledge and skills relating to the country’s parliamentary proceedings.