Dodoma:Tanzania's Vice-President, Deogratius Ndejembi, has called for enhanced women's empowerment policies among the member states of the Great Lakes Region. The aim is to boost women's participation in decision-making, mediation, and conflict resolution processes.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Vice-President made these remarks at the Conference of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians of the Great Lakes Region, led by the President of Angola's National Assembly, Adão de Almeida. Ndejembi emphasized the importance of sharing experiences, advocating the adoption of successful practices, and implementing conflict resolution mechanisms that have been effective in other member states.
Ndejembi stressed the significance of women's involvement in consolidating peace and stability in the region. He advocated for creating platforms to promote women's diplomacy and recognizing their role in communities. The Vice-President also highlighted the necessity of providing protection and assistance to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and armed conflicts.
He underscored the importance of capacity building for women and youth through training programs, creation of employment opportunities, and promotion of entrepreneurship. These are deemed essential for the socio-economic development and prosperity of the region. Additionally, Ndejembi called for monitoring mechanisms to assess the implementation of agreements and commitments by member states.
Addressing women's participation in peace processes, Ndejembi referenced United Nations figures showing that women account for only 27% of participation in these processes, which he deemed insufficient. He urged African countries to adopt policies ensuring more effective representation of women.
The Vice-President reiterated Tanzania's commitment to peace and security in the Great Lakes Region, mentioning the international conference on regional development held in 2025 and former President Benjamin Mkapa's stance on promoting dialogue and cooperation. He also noted Tanzanian Government initiatives promoting women's leadership and gender equality, including a national program for constructing houses for women and supporting conflict-affected communities.
In his closing remarks, Ndejembi congratulated Adão de Almeida for strengthening cooperation in the region and called for unity among the countries for the benefit of future generations. The conference serves as a platform to reflect on existing commitments and challenges in enhancing women's participation in the region's peace and development.
The event, hosted in Tanzania, a nation committed to regional peace, signifies a milestone in bolstering the role of women parliamentarians in regional stability. It was organized based on a Host Country Agreement signed in Dodoma, with participation from an Angolan parliamentary delegation, highlighting the event's significance in fostering women's leadership and regional cooperation among ICGLR member states.
