Africa women adopt Zanzibar Declaration

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May '99

Women in Africa have condemned the arms trade that fuels conflicts, wars and jeopardise development on the continent.

This was contained in a declaration adopted at the end of a conference on peace and non-violence in Zanzibar, reports a GNA special corespondent.

They appealed to African governments and parliaments to reduce military expenditures and to re-channel these resources into development.

The conference, aimed at strengthening partnership among women leaders, activists, researchers and communicators towards a common strategy for peace, brought together more than 300 women from all over the continent and UN representatives.

It was organised by UNESCO, OAU, the Tanzanian government and some NGOs under the theme "Women Organise for Peace and non-violence in Africa".

The women called on African governments to "serve for peace" and appealed to donor countries to impose sanctions on countries trading in arms.

The women committed themselves to work with governments to establish peace as the pillar of education and socialisation and to include conflict resolution and peace negotiations in the curricula at all levels of formal and non-formal education.

"We African women condemn the use of African children as soldiers and commit ourselves to an advocacy role to re-socialize these children, protect and involve them in efforts for peace and development".

The declaration invited governments, the international community and civil society to contribute towards capacity building for African women to enable them to organise into a movement to negotiate, reconcile, sensitise and mobilise the continent for conflict prevention, resolution and transformation.

The women also advocated for access to appropriate communication tools and technology that will strengthen networking and solidarity among them.

They called for the establishment of a Pan-African radio service on issues of women and peace.

While committing their time, energies, skills and talents to reconstructing peace in their homes, communities and nations, they called on international organisations, governments, NGOs and people to recognise and support their peace making efforts.

Dr. Specioza W. Kazibwe, Vice-President of Uganda, said the women would work to harness the continent's human and material resources for development.

They will advocate and work out strategies for the effective participation of women in all areas of decision-making especially those relating to peace, to ensure timely and appropriate interventions.

Dr. Kazibwe charged the women to take up the challenge of defeating policies of exclusion based on racial, religious, gender and ethnicity.

Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, the conference chairperson commended the participants for their "rich contribution" towards the adoption of strategies to achieve peace.

She said the activities of the women would include meetings at both national and regional levels, mobilisation of funds and resources, dialogue to sensitise all stakeholders.