The UN Office for the Prevention of Genocide has named Mrs Pauline Tallen, Nigeria’s Minister of Women’s Affairs as chair of a Global Committee on the Prevention of Genocide and Atrocity from the Women’s Perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Alice Nderitu, the UN Secretary-Special General’s Adviser on Genocide Prevention, informed the minister of this during a courtesy visit to Abuja on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her words, \u201cthere are situations where there is clear intent to destroy whole ethnic, racial and religious communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe question we are asking is, what should be the solution against that intent? What should we do if we see that violence that is happening that bears that kind of character?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is why I have come to seek the minister\u2019s leadership because, in July, we are convening very eminent women from around the world who work in peace building; women who have been signatories to peace agreements, whose character can be seen in their countries constitutions, decisions that have been made in ending the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Italy, we will sit with these women and we will draw up a framework of analysis for the prevention of such atrocities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that the committee was expected to articulate the perspectives of women to peacebuilding and submit to the Office of the UN Secretary-General, to be presented before the General Assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explained that the document would be used to inform UN policy on peacekeeping and the prevention of atrocities that could lead to genocide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She emphasized the necessity of women’s participation in decision-making processes, particularly in the domain of peace and conflict resolution, in order to ensure the success and effect of the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tallen responded by thanking the UN for the opportunity to lead the worldwide mission and promising that Nigerian women will play an important role in securing global peace and said – \u201cwomen are calling for peace and we must give peace a chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI listened so carefully to your request and I feel so moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn behalf of Nigerian women, I say thank you for the honour and for having found me worthy to lead other African women leaders to work and find solutions to issues affecting genocide and all forms of violence within our region and the world at large.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n