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Sitta discusses plight of women, children in war situations
2008-09-06 09:45:14
By Rose Mwalongo
Community Development, Gender and Children minister Margaret Sitta has said that women and children are more vulnerable to sporadic civil wars in Africa.
Sitta made the remarks in Bagamoyo on Monday when opening a three-day international conference on women, peace and security in Somalia.
She said Tanzania and other African countries had a lot to learn from women who, in one way or another, got involved in wars such as those in Somalia.
``The impact of war in Somali has made women and girls more vulnerable than other persons. This has increased poverty levels in the country,`` she said.
She paid homage to Somali women in their endeavour to bring together women in their country and those abroad to support reconciliation and reconstruction efforts of their country.
Speaking during the conference, UN-Instraw acting director Carolina Taborga said women played multiple and varied roles not only as victims of sexual violence, displacement, assault and other human rights abuses, but also as participants, supporters, peacemakers and advocates during times of armed conflict.
``Men and women live different dimensions of armed conflict and violence, in addition to conflict resolution and peace building, based on their gender roles and identities. Increasingly, sexual violence is used as a weapon during armed conflicts to intimidate and control women, men and entire communities,`` said Taborga.
She said it was sad to note that sexual violence served as a tool to spread fear, obtain information and inflict punishment.
``In Somalia most women have lost their partners as a result of armed violence and find themselves alone as heads of their households with the responsibilities to provide for their families and ensure their survival,`` she said.
Head of Development Cooperation in the Italy embassy in Nairobi Pasqualino Procacci said the idea to enhance dialogue among Somali women was a concrete step towards the creation of an enabling environment for women empowerment and participation in the reconciliation phase of their country.
``The high presence of women at this conference testifies that some Somali women are raising their voices and speaking out. The international community has an obligation to provide economic, political and logistical assistance for these efforts. We and the international community pledge to be in the forefront in the fight to promote this cause,`` said Procacci.
The International Organisation for Migration estimates that there are 3 million Somalis living abroad as immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in various countries of Africa, the Persian Gulf, Europe and North America.
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