Gender and education for a culture of peace in central Africa

Abstract

Situations of armed conflict and periods of post-conflict reconstruction in Central Africa pose specific challenges to achieving gender equality and the protection of women’s rights. Exclusion of and discrimination against the latter in power circles as well as in the allocation of resources and levels of income, have been identified as factors that continue to stoke a culture of violence. To achieve a lasting culture of peace, it is important to involve women in mechanisms for preventing and pre-empting crises. The UNESCO Declaration in Zanzibar in 1999 and the assertion of women’s crucial role in promoting a culture of peace. This declaration called on African governments, the African Union (AU), other regional and sub-regional organisations, as well as the United Nations system, to take urgent and efficient measures to ensure that women are fairly represented in decision-making processes, particularly those concerning prevention, management and resolution of conflicts and peace negotiations.