Civil society hosts Peace Agreement Dialogue

Civil society hosts Peace Agreement Dialogue

By Louise Anne Laris - FemLINKPacific Correspondent, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency

International Day of Peace - 21 September 2011, Bougainville, PNG

"Reviewing the Bougainville Peace Agreement is a crucial step forward for civil society and the Autonomous Bougainville government to reflect and set goals to achieve a positive peace on the island and to enhance efforts to prevent future conflicts," says Helen Hakena, Executive Director of Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency and the convenor of the Regional Media and Policy Network on UNSCR1325 in Bougainville. She is also a founding member of GPPAC Pacific:

‘For the first time civil society group in Bougainville in collaboration with partners of the GPPAC will conduct a reflection consultation with ABG officials to look at challenges and achievements facing the peace process. This consultation is a big step calling together church groups, women’s groups, ABG officials and ex-combatants to share their views on how ABG can go about with the reconciliation processes and the destruction of arms; challenges that hinder peace and security issues,’ she said.

She was speaking as a convenor of a peace dialogue convened ten years since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement to review progress and consider not only achievements, such as the staging of elections for the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, but the every day challenges confronting the Peace Process.

In an interview with Radio Australia Helen Hakena highlighted the need to engage with government bodies to address all underlying issues such as the ‘unfinished’ weapons disposal programme, noting that lack of arms disposal is the very core activity fueling up the continuous conflict in South Bougainville:

"In the last ten years the Peace Process has moved ahead positively but there are some challenges that impede on the peace process such as the full engagement of women in consultations,’ she said adding that investment in women's participation remains vital in decision making process::

‘Yes, women played a key role in bringing the Bougainville conflict to an end, but now at this time, women are silent. In formal processes even though they continue to convene programmes and dialogue events."

Hakena welcomed the support of the UNDP to assist in convening the dialogue as she called for greater participation of women in consultation processes by supporting education programmes for women to ensure they are empowered and their capacity is realized.

She strongly believes that Bougainville women can use UNSCR 1325 as a guiding tool and also as an advocacy for women in decision making and continuing our engagement with governments on the urgency of having women in decision making processes and women’s representation in parliament where they can influence policy makers and where their views are changed into laws.

Questioned whether Bougainvilleans are happy with its government Mrs. Hakena said ‘We are happy to have our own government particularly the reserved seats that we have for women. Women are able to contest themselves. ‘

Hakena also stated that Independence in Bougainville will only proceed if we are financially viable and if Bougainville government fully addresses the challenges that confront the peace process. Meanwhile Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency together with the Minister for women Hon. Rose Pihei are having continuous consultations to organize the anniversary of the UNSC resolution 1325 come October 28th in Buka.

This event will once again bring together women’s groups from around Buka and mainland who will participate in this celebrations for women, peace and security.

ENDS

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