Freetown — A two-day national consultation forum to develop a 'national action plan' on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 for Sierra Leone wraps up today in all the regions of the country, including the western area.

The purpose of the forum is to develop an action plan for the implementation of the resolution and also to discuss the important role women play in the prevention and resolution of conflict and peace-building generally.

In her keynote address during the opening ceremony of the western area forum at the conference hall of CHASL, Kingharman Road yesterday, deputy minister of social welfare, gender and children's affairs, Jenneh Kandeh thanked WANEP-SL and MARWOPNET-SL for working collaboratively with her ministry in the formation of a task force on the UNSC Resolution 1325.

She pledged her ministry's readiness to support any initiative and also provide leadership for the development of the national action plan.

The deputy minister noted that in order for peace consolidation to effectively integrate, and gender equality and women's right to be upheld, there should be a direct participation of women in the peace process resolution.

She said the UN-established peace building commissions in Sierra Leone and Burundi are currently benefiting as pilot countries.

"The Security Council has ensured that women participate in all levels of peace consolidation and gender equality," Mrs. Kandeh stated.

WANEP national coordinator, Edward Jombla said women should be properly educated on the resolution. "They should see that the action plan works and people should understand the idea of the whole project, down to community level," he said.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sam of GRADOC women's forum gave an overview why Resolution 1325 was adopted in October 31st 2000. According to her, the resolution was addressed on the suffering of women, peace building and policies that do not cover the welfare of women.

She also gave a rundown on the prevention, protection and participation on the resolution, adding that much was not done when there was no resolution and even when it was adopted.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held last Tuesday by the task force of WANMAR (a collaboration of WANEP and MARWOPNET organizations) at the conference room of the gender and children's affairs division, Youyi building, Dr. Nana Pratt said Resolution 1325 of the Security Council should be made known to all women in the country

She said what is in the resolution should be reviewed in readiness for reparation, adding that issues coming up would form part of the papers that would be presented at the regional consultation.

Dr. Pratt further committed to supporting the government in activating its role on gender mainstreaming by involving the gender ministry and other line ministries.

"We need active people who can send the message across the community," she maintained.

At the meeting, members adopted a plan of action, which includes lobbying for at least 30% representation for women in parliament and all political executive positions in political parties, and also appointment of women into key ministries and commissions.

Members also resolved that there should be an alliance with men to ensure that women enjoy peace and security from a gender perspective, an independent court for rape victims, monitor the practice of rape by the community during the implementation of the resolution.

Resolution 1325 was unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on 31st October 2000 under the presidency of Namibia, and it establishes the legitimacy of women's and gender issues in the domain of peace and security.