Uganda’s National Action Plan is one of the first high impact plans in the world to address Women, Peace and Security issues related to climate change and health outbreaks /pandemics.
The Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi Ongom told the United Nations Security Council that the overall goal of the National Action Plan III is to promote sustainable peace and security through enhanced meaningful participation of women in peace and development processes.
Using the example of the two decades’ brutal war waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda, the Minister underscored the role grassroots women in the local areas of Acholi, Lango and Teso played to persuade their sons/husbands to end the insurgency. She said efforts by women through the Uganda Women’s peace coalition played a central role in the peace process which ended the brutal LRA campaign.
The Minister also underscored the role Women played in the post conflict recovery through the women’s National taskforce for a gender responsive peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP)
Amongi was speaking during an open debate on “Promoting conflict prevention –Empowering all actors including women and youth” under the “Peace building and sustaining peace” agenda item at the United Nations in New York.
The session was convened by Japan who hold the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March. In her address Amongi stressed that Peace and Security is fundamental and crucial in achieving sustainable development. She called upon members of the security council to reflect on the original purpose for the United Nations and work to resolve man made conflicts and global insecurity through cooperation, diplomacy and peaceful means.
The Minister told her audience that Uganda has continued to work with regional partners to support and advance peace, stability and security initiatives in the region and beyond so as to eliminate terrorism, mistrust and other conditions that breed conflict.
She singled out Uganda’s active involvement in regional initiatives, particularly those under the African Union (AU), the Inter Government Authority on Development (IGAD), East African Community(EAC), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The Minister told members of the security council and Uganda’s involvement is based on the fundamental values of multilateralism. She argues that as the International Community we must be steadfast in our resolve to support dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts wherever they occur around the world.
