Addis Ababa, April 26, 2024 (FBC) – International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) in partnership with College of Natural and Computational Science at Addis Ababa University yesterday commemorated the April 26 International Women’s Peace Day.
The commemorative event that took place in Arat Kilo Campus of Addis Ababa under the theme of “Women Achieving Peace that the World Needs” brought female students, lecturers, scholars, girls with disabilities, representatives of women associations and women experts representing the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs together with a view to promote peace.
Meseret Tsegaye, a gender expert at College of Natural and Computational Science in Addis Ababa, said the institution is working in collaboration with IWPG to strengthen the role of women in ensuring peace among the community and the world at large.
Martha Zenebe, a representative of the Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association at the event, pointed out that women and children are always the main victims of conflicts, stressing the need for fostering preventing conflict prevention and resolution methods among the community.
“Women and children are vulnerable to displacements and gender based violence and related misconducts that are triggered by conflicts. These cause health problems and other socio-economic burdens to countries. Therefore, peace should always be placed at the center of day to day activities.”
Martha appreciated the role of the event in creating awareness on how to consolidate efforts towards lasting peace in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa at large.
She further called on women at all levels to strengthen their participation in ongoing national dialogue and transitional justice processes in the country to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia.
Esther Kim, coordinator of the April 26 International Women’s Peace Day, stated that IWPG in partnership with higher education institutions in Africa and other parts of the world are offering peace education for students at all levels, calling the participants to join this initiative.
The participants recited the declaration of International Women’s Peace Day, pledging to contribute to the efforts of IWPG to promote the role of women for the realization of a peaceful world.
In 2019, IWPG declared April 26 as “International Women’s Peace Day.” This day is festival of peace where women from all around the world come together and demonstrate their commitment toward peace realization.