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Tag: United Nations

  • World’s fish consumption unsustainable, UN warns

    A third of the world’s oceans are overfished and fish consumption is at an all-time high, raising fears over the sustainability of a key source of protein for millions around the world, the UN warned in a report on Monday.

    According to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, overfishing is particularly bad in parts of the developing world where many people already struggle to get enough nutritious food to eat.

    “There’s too much pressure on marine resources and we need significantly more commitments from governments to improve the state of their fisheries,” said Manuel Barange, director of the FAO fisheries and aquaculture department.

    “We predict that Africa might have to import fish in the future,” he told the Media , adding that shortages could lead to higher prices, disproportionately affecting the poor.

    Barange said Africa had great potential for aquaculture, but needed support in terms of finance, feed and supply of fish.

    Fish farming or aquaculture – the fastest growing agricultural sector for the past 40 years – has been largely responsible for making more fish available, said the report.

    As catches from the open sea continue to dwindle, more countries are turning to fish farms.

    In Algeria, the government is encouraging farmers in the Sahara desert to grow fish to increase their income and boost fish production.

    Critics say it can damage the environment and put disease and invasive species into the wild, but Barange said the solution was to have “proper regulation, legislation and monitoring and control”.

    Traditional fishing nations are also promoting the potential of fisheries to improve nutrition and end hunger.

    Globally, the percentage of stocks fished at unsustainable levels increased to 33.1 in 2015, from 31.4 in 2013 and 10 in 1974.

    Fish consumption reached an all-time high of 20.2 kg (44.5 lb) per person from 9 kg in 1961, said the report, and further rises are expected as health-conscious consumers turn to fish.

    Currently, 3.2 billion people rely on fish for almost 20 per cent of their animal protein intake.

    Shakuntala Thilsted, research programme leader at international nonprofit WorldFish, said reducing losses and waste would go a long way towards making fisheries sustainable, with an estimated 35 per cent of catches thrown away.

    “Fish heads, fish bones are (the) parts that are most nutritious.

    ”Why aren’t we using innovative solutions to turn this into nutritious, palatable food?” she said.

  • 23 drug traffickers jailed, 110 others on trial in Katsina – NDLEA

    The Katsina state command of the National drug Law Enforcement Agency, , said it has prosecuted and jailed 23 drug suspects to various terms of imprisonment while 110 other cases are at various stages of trial at Federal High Court Katsina.

    The state commander of the NDLEA, Hajia Marym Gambo Sani, who made the above disclosure at a press in Katsina, held to mark this year’s commemoration of United Nations day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking said the occasion calls for sober reflection on the impact of efforts by government, public institutions, parent, teachers, individuals, religious organizations, made  towards winning the drug war.

    She said’’ As the theme suggests, we must Listen First to the children and the youths who are the vulnerable groups. It is by listening, that we are seen to reckon with their worries, concerns and anxieties and by so doing our policies and programmes would be more focused and result oriented’’.

    She further decried the high rate of drug abuse and other substance of abuse within Katsina state which said is so enormous but that the synergy between the command and other sister agencies and stakeholders has been fruitful, commendable and exceptionally rewarding.

    She said ‘’our performances in terms of demographics in arrest and drug seizures showed a lot of improvement. The command apprehended 443 drug suspects with 336.4043 kgs of various illicit drugs and 2,553.06 litres of Cough syrup with codeine from January 2018 to date’’.

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    ‘’Accordingly a notorious drug syndicate that has existed in Funtua, Sandamu and Katsina was busted and a sizeable quantity of different psychotropic substances was seized which includes cough syrup with codeine 24,000 bottles, 51 kgs of cannabis sativa and 53 kgs of tramadol tablets.’’

    Haji Sani also condemned the disturbing involvement of students of higher learning and children aged thirteen in illicit use and dealing in drug activities which has led to the arrest of 21 students with 128 bottles of cough syrup with codeine.

    She announced the construction of a rehabilitation centre which she said has been achieved and made possible by the assistance of the state government which will enable the command counsel and rehabilitate many arrested drug users and those referred to the agency by parents.

    In a related development a Non-governmental organization: Queen Dijah Women and Children Awareness Initiative, called on the youths and members of the community   to change their mindset on the activities of the drug dealers and drug addicts which it said is alarming, worrisome and pose dangers to humanity.

    A release signed by the Public relations officer of the organization, Malam Bashiru Bello, said the organization is using the occasion of the International Drug Free Day to warn members of the community that they have a role to play by reporting drug dealers and their hide outs to the enforcement agencies to ensure arrest and prosecution.

  • UNODC, Ministry, others to hold campaign against drug abuse

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health, law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will today hold a campaign against drug abuse to commemorate the World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

    The event will be held at Victoria Crown Plaza, 292b Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 10am.

    Two representatives of the UNODC – its Project Officer, William Wu Shiyin and Project Officer, Outreach and Communications Sylvester Tunde Atere, made this known when they visited The Nation’s Corporate Office in Lagos Monday.

    According to Shiyin, the project is part of UNODC’s ongoing campaign titled: “Response to drug and related organised crimes in Nigeria”.

    He said the campaign, which is being sponsored by the European Union (EU), is focusing on three major components – policy formulation, institution and capacity building, and coordination.

    “It started in December, 2013 and will extend to 2019. It is likely to be extended beyond 2019. Tomorrow is the international day against drug abuse and we are partnering with NGOs to commemorate the day.

    Read Also: Drug abuse as serial killer

    “We are organising a campaign to this effect. The campaign is part of the organisation’s ongoing: “Response to drug and related organised crimes in Nigeria. 26 selected schools across have been invited for the programme.”

    The Project Officer, Outreach and Communications, Sylvester Tunde Atere, said 80 per cent of the Nigerian population below 45 are within the age bracket of drug abusers.

    “Hence, the issue of drug abuse is not a moral issue but evidence-based and health-based issues.

    “There is need for treatment and professional counselling, especially for drug abusers. Thus, there is need to build the capacity of drug and law enforcement agencies such as NDLEA, Police, Custom and Immigration Officers among others to know how to tackle and enforce national and international laws to tackle drug abuse,” he said.

    Atere added that the UN agency has introduced human right component into drug law enforcement campaign by building the technical capacity of drug law enforcement agencies to deal with people with drug related problems and respect travellers as well as those they come in contact with at the airport.

    They added that it’s rather worrisome that drug addicts are mostly youth and that it should be a source of great concern to everyone.

    According to them, given the enormity of the damage of drug addiction to mankind, no effort should be spared to curb its menace.

  • Boko Haram: UN tasks Nigeria on stigmatisation of girls

    The UN has urged the Nigerian authorities to give more attention to protecting the girls and children, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by the Boko Haram terrorists.

    Ms Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated this while briefing on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the plight of the girls, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by Boko Haram terrorists, were among the spotlights for the Day.

    Under this year’s theme, “The Plight and Rights of Children Born of War,” the Day encourages solidarity with the survivors, who have endured multiple ordeals, in the wake of sexual violence.

    A short video clip featured ‘Khadija’, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists at Banki, Borno and impregnated, being tagged ‘Boko Haram wife’ and her baby, ‘Boko Haram sin’ in the camp.

    Patten recalled her meeting with the victim girls and children born out of rape arising from the sexual violence and abuse when she travelled to Maiduguri in 2017.

    “I met with 200 young girls and there were 162 babies and I was really disturbed by the fact that these young girls and their babies were not only rejected by their families and by their communities but also by the very people they were living with inside the camp.

    My visit to Maiduguri made me realise that more attention needs to be given; I think the focus really has to be on the rights.

    “There’s a convention on the rights of the child that protect these children and more needs to be done,’’ she said.

    According to her, all the girls that she met at the internally displaced people camps in Maiduguri were released from the captivity of Boko Haram.

    She said some of them still had complaints about sexual violence and food, explaining that these were issues that she raised with the government, following her visit to the camp.

    “I raised the issue with the authority, with the Acting President (Yemi Osinbajo), whom I met and who reassured that actions would be taken.’’

    She said government followed up to ensure the review of the administration of the camp.

    She added with further follow up by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, the distribution of food was handed over to the World Food Programme to ensure cases of sexual abuse were minimised.

    My office is trying to support the government of Nigeria and other partners and agencies to meet the needs of the very young survivors of sexual violence and their children through access to some kind of livelihoods support.

    That`s in the process of negotiation with Nigeria.’’

    UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said the effects of conflict-related sexual violence echoes across generations, in the form of trauma, stigma and unwanted pregnancy.

    The UN chief described the scourge as “a threat to our collective security’’ and “a stain on our common humanity.’’

    “Children conceived through wartime rape often struggle with issues of identity and belonging for decades after the guns have fallen silent.

    “They may be left in a legal limbo or at risk of becoming stateless.

    Read Also: Emulate Christ, girls told

    “They are vulnerable to recruitment, trafficking and exploitation, with broad implications for peace and security as well as human rights.

    “Their mothers may be marginalised and shunned by their own families and communities.

    “These women and children are sometimes seen as affiliates of armed and violent extremist groups, rather than as victims and survivors,’’ Guterres said.

    Lord Ahmad, the British Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, also condemned Boko Haram terrorists’ activities against girls.

    “Female illiteracy in some countries is running at 60, 70 or 80 per cent and there are bigoted fanatics, who actually campaign to stop girls from going to school, including the numbskulls from Boko Haram who will raid schools, abduct children and inflict any atrocity in order to deny girls an education.

    “As recently as February, Boko Haram kidnapped 110 girls from a school in Dapchi and we all remember how 276 were taken from Chibok in 2014.

    “When I visited Borno last year, I met girls who had been told they would be shot if they dared learn to read, as the Taliban shot Malala,’’ Ahmad said.

    Similarly, Ms Ninette Kelley, Director of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in New York, while launching the UNHCR’s Global Trends Report, urged governments to ensure voluntary return of IDPs to their communities.

    She added that no displaced person should be forced to return until certain factors are considered.

  • US plotting to use Amnesty International to unsettle Nigeria – Group

    A group, the Progressives Yoruba Youth Congress, PYYC, has cried out to the international community over a plot by the United States of America’s backed self-styled human rights watchdog, Amnesty International to use fictitious reports to create tension in the country.

    It said the report was targeted at discrediting the Nigerian military on its fight against insurgency.

    The youth group therefore called on AI and its agents to come out clean on their plots to heat up polity in the country through its conjured report.

    Comrade Akintola Festus, national leader of the group, while addressing newsmen on Wednesday, drew the attention of the United Nations (UN), the European Union and other international bodies to what it described as plots by AI’s local franchise to promote terrorism in Nigeria.

    Festus lamented AI’s periodic reports, which accused the Nigerian military and sister security agencies of human rights violation in their efforts to bring a lasting peace to this entity called Nigeria.

    The youth leader decried that the international agency is doing everything possible to see a stage-managed implosion in Nigeria, a country gradually and steadily recuperating from bile terrorism.

    He, therefore called on the Nigerian government to without delay commence the process of the expulsion of Amnesty International from the country.

    His speech reads below.

    “We believe we are aware of the difficulties experienced in the past administration in checkmating terrorism, especially Boko Haram, IPOB and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has reached alarming proportion for all Nigerians to be concerned.

    The manifest cruelty and appetite for bloodletting in atrocious acts and heinous crimes against Nigerians by these sects is legendary. And we know the sects are ennobled by the sponsorship, funding, and backing of foreign forces bent on foisting evil on our land to destabilize our country.

    “We are persuaded to draw the attention of World bodies like the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the Federal Government in Nigeria about some twists and ugly developments concerning winning streaks of Nigerian military against Boko Haram terrorists.

    “We strongly suspected sustained and covert actions and activities of terrorists agents, particularly, some international organizations’ domiciled in Nigeria who are discreetly working day and night to promote the scourge of terrorism on Nigeria.

    “The Republic of Iran has never concealed this devilish plot on Nigerian and the leaders of these sects, particularly, Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau have also affirmed this fact. And the dragnet of sponsors, paid agents and sympathizers’ with terrorists in Nigeria is expansive and obscure. These covert agents operate under different official or unofficial banners.

    “To this end, we have realized lately and suspect a strong bond between the Iranian Republic, Boko Haram terrorists and the Amnesty International (AI) in festering the menace of terrorism in Nigeria. AI is an international organization whose mandate is to conscientiously monitor human rights violations in the countries they operate.

    “We also note that AI has strong affinity with the United States of America (USA). AI is America’s pet child and America has this inglorious history of dubious interventions in the internal affairs of developing countries like Nigeria.

    “AI’s periodic reports are usually based on unsubstantiated allegations and falsehood, alluding to rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian military and sister security agencies. The reports are primed to limitlessly and baselessly indict the military; while emboldening the terrorists in their suspected sponsored assignment to destroy and delete Nigeria from the map of the world.

    “We are mincing no words to assert that no external force can govern us; we must govern ourselves and the rude disrespect by AI to testify before lawfully constituted Probe Panels is an undisguised affront on the powers and sovereignty of Nigeria.

    “AI is doing everything possible to see a stage-managed implosion in Nigeria, a country gradually and steadily recuperating from bile terrorism.

    “Therefore, we plead with our international partners especially the UN to undertake a critical investigation into the sinister operations of Amnesty International in Nigeria and the complicity of the US Government. We have every cause to suspect AI and America’s covert support of the organization in the evil conspiracy against Nigeria to promote terrorism, an idea hatched by foreign forces against the unity and peace of Nigeria.

    “We consequently, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to immediately commence the process of the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria. Nigerians cannot compromise or allow anybody or organization, not even AI and its local franchise to reverse the gains the country has recorded on the terrorism war. We are not prepared to return to the dark days of reckless bombings, agonies and deaths arising from terrorism.”

  • Congo, WHO race to prevent runaway Ebola outbreak

    Congolese and United Nations officials were racing on Thursday to prevent a runaway Ebola outbreak in Congo.

    They are working out the logistics of keeping newly a vaccines well below freezing in a steamy region on the equator with unreliable power.

    World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the U.N. body would convene an Emergency Committee meeting on Friday to consider the international risks.

    This is Democratic Republic of Congo’s ninth epidemic since the disease was identified in the 1970s.

    However, this outbreak I’d its most alarming because of the risk of transmission via regular river transport to the capital Kinshasa, a city of 10 million.

    There have already been 44 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Ebola, and 23 people have died.

    Read Also:Ebola outbreak spreads to DR Congo city

    Potentially, most worrying is a confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of about 1 million connected to Kinshasa by the Congo River.

    “This does change the way we need to respond,” Peter Salama, WHO’s medical emergency programme head told the media in Geneva.

    “Overnight, Mbandaka has become the number one priority for preventing this outbreak from getting out of control.”

    The other Ebola cases were spread across sites in remote areas where the disease might not travel quickly.

    An experimental but highly effective vaccine is being deployed, with health workers being vaccinated first.

    But it normally needs to be kept 80 degrees Celsius below freezing in a humid region where daytime temperatures hover around 30.

    “For now, the cold chain is guaranteed at – 80 degrees until Kinshasa,” Health Minister Oly Ilunga told Reuters.

    “There is a fridge that will be prepared (on Thursday) … in Mbandaka and that will be at -80.”

    “This vaccine is no longer experimental. The effectiveness has been proven and validated,” he added.

    “Now that we are facing the Ebola virus we must use all the resources we have.”

    WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told the media that the vaccine can still be effective for up to two weeks if stored in a fridge at between 8 and 2 degrees above freezing.

    To avoid criticism received during the huge former Ebola outbreak, which killed 11,300 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia from 2014 to 2016, WHO is moving fast on Congo’s latest outbreak.

    The emergency committee will decide whether to declare a “public health emergency of international concern”, which would mean getting access to more resources, Lindmeier said.

    The Kinshasa government reported the outbreak on May 8, one day after two samples tested positive.

    Within days the WHO was sending experts, preparing a helicopter “air bridge” to the site, and planning a vaccination campaign.

    The nightmare scenario is an outbreak in Kinshasa, a crowded city where millions live in unsanitary slums not connected to a sewer system.

    Several public transport boats a day head from Mbandaka downstream over the river to the capital.

    They are so overloaded with people that they sometimes topple over, their toilets are usually filthy and water for washing absent.

    “If this Ebola outbreak ever reaches Kinshasa, what we are going to see is death here,” Jean Marie Mukaya, a resident of the city, told media.

    “Because it is very dirty here. The government and the population must … get rid of all the dirt.”

    Already the WHO has warned that there is a “moderate” regional risk because the disease could travel along the river to Central African Republic and Congo Republic.

    But it has said the global risk is low because of the remoteness of the area and the rapid response launched so far.

    Even if the logistics of the ‘fridge bridge’ prove easy enough to overcome, “the vaccine is not a magic bullet,” Salama told Reuters this week, especially since health workers have been infected.

    “Having healthcare workers infected is usually a ‘canary in the mine’ for potential amplification,” he said.

  • Adesola, Polman, appointed to UN Global Compact Board

    The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the appointment of Bola Adesola of Nigeria and Paul Polman of Netherlands to serve as Vice-Chairs of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact.

    According to a statement by the United Nations New York, Ms. Adesola and Mr. Polman succeed out-going United Nations Global Compact Board Vice-Chair, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Former Chairman of Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies and of Anglo American plc.

    The duo had served on the board of the United Nations Global Compact before, “Both Ms. Adesola and Mr. Polman have served on the Board of the United Nations Global Compact previously, and will bring to the position a wealth of experience in the private sector, in the corporate sustainability space and specifically with the United Nations Global Compact itself.”

    Giving an insight into their achievements, Ms. Adesola has served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd since 2011 the statement reads. “She has over 25 years of banking experience, including at First Bank of Nigeria and at Citibank. Ms. Adesola holds degrees from Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School, as well as a law degree from the University of Buckingham.

    Mr. Polman has served as Chief Executive Officer of Unilever since 2009. Prior to joining Unilever, he worked at Nestlé S.A., and at Proctor and Gamble, where he spent 26 years. Mr. Polman holds degrees from the University of Groningen and from the University of Cincinnati.”

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    The secretary General, who looks forward to working with Ms. Adesola and Mr. Polman, appreciated Sir Mark, the out-going United Nations Global Compact Board Vice-Chair.

    “The Secretary-General extends his great appreciation to Sir Mark for serving in the position for the past ten years and shepherding the United Nations Global Compact into a new era.

    As Chair of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact, the Secretary-General looks forward to working closely with Ms. Adesola and Mr. Polman, along with United Nations Global Compact Executive Director, Lise Kingo, as they lead the United Nations Global Compact, the entry point for business within the broader United Nations system.”

  • SDG: UN to integrate behaviour change communication

    The United Nations says it will integrate Behavior Change Communications into development agenda and practice in order to fully deliver in the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind.

    The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed made this known in Bali, Indonesia at the opening plenary of the 2nd International Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Summit on Monday.

    The Summit with the theme; ‘Shifting Norms, Changing Behaviour, Amplifying Voice, What works,’ also featured Entertainment Education as one of the tools for behaviour change communication and holds from April 15-20, 2018.

    Mohammed who addressed the gathering of more than 1,200 researchers, academics and policymakers in a televised message said SBCC is playing important role in engaging young people, empowering victims and shifting attitudes.

    “Social behaviour change is critical to addressing gender inequality. The media, entertainment, education and technology sector play important role in helping us mobilize in these constituencies, engage young people, empower victims and shift attitudes.

    “The social behaviour change community is well placed to contribute and add meaning. You have the proven ability to harness the power of communication. You are a vibrant community shown by the presence of over 1200 practitioners, researchers, academics and policymakers.

    “The United Nations looks forward to working with you and other stakeholders to fully integrate social behaviour communication strategy into development agenda and practice. Together, we can transform societies and our future and uphold our promise to leave no one behind,” Mohammed said.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Program (CCP) Susan Krenn said the presence of so many professionals at the conference will deliver insights that would serve the community of communicators for many years to come.

    The Minister of Health, Republic of Indonesia, Dr Nila Moeloek who delivered a keynote address said SBCC has the power to change norms and attitudes adding that SBCC is important because it has the power to change people’s lives.

    “I am fully aware of the importance of SBCC in improving people’s lives. Indonesia has put this to use in reducing open-air defecation and the use of Sulphur in washing hands. SBCC was key in the fight against Ebola outbreak in Africa and when we had the bird flu (H5N1) strain, communication strategies helped us to overcome this and we were able to change the attitude of both buyers and sellers,” she noted.

    The Minister who was represented by the Health Economics Advisor, Dr Mohammad Subur also noted that the social media will be a critical tool in SBCC communication.

    The conference has participants from at least 93 countries, with 1,300 abstracts submitted and 429 organisations represented.

     

  • Un peacekeeping mission in Liberia completes mandate

    In a pivotal moment in the history of Liberia, the United Nations mission in the country successfully completed its mandate after almost 15 years of supporting the West African nation in the transition to peace and democracy.

    At a ceremony in Monrovia on Thursday, attended by President George Weah, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed lauded the accomplishments of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which has had several Nigerian peacekeeping personnel.

    She pointed out that the peacekeepers leave behind a country that has great potential for lasting peace and stability. “UNMIL helped to disarm more than 100,000 combatants, and protected millions of civilians; helped to rebuild the police, the security services and other institutions; facilitated the provision of humanitarian aid, and supported the development of national capacity to promote and protect human rights,” she said.

    Mohammed further lauded progress while acknowledging the remaining challenges, saying: “Peace will not last without sustainable development, and development gains will be at risk without sustained peace.  Many Liberians are still waiting for the anticipated dividends of peace.

    “Some of the root causes of conflict remain to be addressed, including poverty, youth unemployment, illiteracy and lack of infrastructure. We need to give Liberians back their dignity, dreams and faith in a better future.”

    She paid special tribute to the 202 peacekeepers who lost their lives in pursuit of peace in Liberia. “Today, we remember their sacrifice.”

    The event was held at Monrovia’s Executive Pavilion and was attended by top government officials, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and UN officials.

    In his speech on behalf of the Liberian authorities, President Weah said: “UN has positively impacted the lives of Liberians as well as every fabric of the Liberian Society since its arrival in 2003.” He acknowledged the hope the United Nations has given Liberians adding, “Liberia has to protect and sustain the peace”. He expressed his commitment towards ensuring this happens.

    At the ceremony, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Mohammed was accompanied by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and Chair of the Peacebuilding commission configuration for Liberia , Ambassador Olof Skoog, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIL, Mr. Farid Zarif.

    Recall that UNMIL was established by the Security Council in 2003 and will officially close at the end of this month. The mission created a security environment that enabled more than a million refugees and displaced persons return to their homes; supported the holding of three presidential elections, and helped the government establish its authority throughout the whole country following years of fighting and instability.

    The conflict took a horrific toll in terms of gender-based violence, with estimated 80 percent of women and girls affected. As soon as the UN mission deployed, it prioritized the empowerment of women – to vote, to run for office and to join the police and other rules of law institutions. This investment in women’s equality paid huge dividends in the transition to democracy. Recognizing the important role Liberian women played in pursuing peace, Ms Mohammed said, “Women have borne most of the burden; they have stepped up at every stage.”

    To spur women’s empowerment, UNMIL led by example, becoming the first UN peacekeeping operation to have an all-female contingent thanks to India’s deployment of a formed police unit (FPU) from 2007 until 2016.   The Indian policewomen served as role models for Liberia’s women and girls, triggering a fourfold increase in the number of Liberian women applying to become police officers.

    During UNMIL’s nearly 15-year mandate, dozens of countries from around the world deployed troops and police.   Significant contributions were made during this span by African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia; Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and China; and European countries such as Ukraine, Sweden and Ireland.  Peacekeepers from the United States also played an important role.

  • UN, World Bank launch joint report on conflict prevention

    The joint United Nations ( UN ) – World Bank report Pathways for Peace, launched on Wednesday, showed that violent conflicts around the world lead to heavy financial losses, and pointed out approaches to prevent them.

    Apart from causing immense human suffering, violent conflicts also lead to great financial losses, the report indicated.

    It also claims that engaging in conflict-prevention measures could mean saving between five and 70 billion dollars per year.

    “Pathways for Peace’’ is the first joint study from the UN and the World Bank focusing on conflict prevention.

    The report pointed out several causes of conflicts worldwide to include denying individuals the possibility to influence a society’s direction or their right to access natural resources, or to security and justice.

    “Development policies and programmes must be a core part of preventive efforts; when risks are high or building up, inclusive solutions through dialogue, adapted macroeconomic policies, institutional reform, and redistributive policies are required,’’ the report said.

    According to the report, inclusion is key, and preventive action needs to adopt a more people-centered approach that includes mainstreaming citizen engagement.

    Meanwhile, enhancing the participation of women and youth in decision making, as well as long-term policies to address the aspirations of women and young people are fundamental to sustaining peace.

    Xinhua/NAN