Statement on the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa's Participation in the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security

On March 7-8, 2009, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA), Commissioner Soyata Maiga of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) will be participating in the International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security co-convened by H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia and H.E. President Tarja Halonen of Finland in Monrovia, the Republic of Liberia.

Amongst other things, the Colloquium will consider gender and climate change issues with the aim of strengthening women's participation in sustainable development, creating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, protecting the environment and natural resources, and addressing climate change.

The following are goals identified to frame the Colloquium discussions:

1. Empowering women to be more effective leaders by linking with their international peers to share best practices;

2. Supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325;

3. Contributing to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 3 (MDG3) on gender equality and women’s empowerment;

4. Demonstrating the clear gender dimensions of climate change, environment protection and sustainable development; and

5. Launching the Angie Brooks International Centre on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in Monrovia. This Centre will support the implementation of action emerging from the Colloquium through, inter alia, training and research.

For further information, please contact the Secretariat of the ACHPR on:

Tel: (+220) 437 2962;

Email: achpr@achpr.org or visit www.womenscolloquium.org

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Banjul , 06 March 2009