The Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Mrs. Hijran Huseynova participated in breakout session titled “Women and Peace-building in Conflict Zones in Africa” in the framework of 7th Global Forum of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

SPEECH by Prof. HIJRAN HUSEYNOVA CHAIRPERSON OF THE STATE COMMITTEE FOR FAMILY, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

In this context, the breakout session on “Women and peace-building in conflict zones in Africa” during the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Baku, Azerbaijan, analyzed the needs and challenges of women and girls in post-conflict situations. It will also explore their role and influence in peace-building efforts, recovery processes and building inclusive societies.

 The session was moderated by Mr. Maged Abdelaziz, UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa, United Nations. Speakers at the session were Mrs. Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic; Mr.Ibrahim Gambari, Chairman and Founder, Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development in Nigeria; Mrs. Anna Fumarola, Project Manager, Women for Africa Foundation; Mrs. Oumou Sall Seck, Mayor of the City of Goundam, Mali.

In her speech Mrs. Hijran Huseynova highlighted: “As the country suffered from aggression, military occupation of 20 % of territories and existence of more than one million refugees and IDPs, we fully support initiative to find practical actions for preventing conflicts and strengthen prosecutions for any violation of human rights.  We welcomed adoption of resolution 1325 by the UN Security Council .A coalition of women from Parliament, state agencies, the NGO community, political parties and mass media was created in Azerbaijan to support of this Resolution. In the framework of UN regional project “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in the Southern Caucasus”, advocacy work for increasing the role of women in decision-making on conflict prevention and resolution at the national, regional and international levels has been  conducted. This Coalition 1325 involved women refugees and IDPs in peace building process promoted the culture of peace and establish cooperation with women coalition working on similar issues abroad. But unfortunately the opposite side constantly renews its attacks and clashes which hamper peace building process”