War and Conflict has continued to leave imprints across the globe, from Syria to Sudan, Central African Republic and even Nigeria in West Africa.
These wars and conflicts have left thousands dead and millions displaced, with women and children emerging as the biggest casualties.
It has become a threat to human race and tackling it has become paramount in the hearts of different country’s lawmakers.
For this reason, talks at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting centred on peace and democracy.
Parliamentarians were reminded that, as the voice of the people, they must be at the heart of reconciliation and peace building.
“Parliamentarians need to be an integral part of this process in identifying priorities and monitoring progress, mobilising resources for development, enhancing accountability through legislative oversight and giving voice to the most vulnerable through proper representation,” the Director General, United Nations, Geneva, Michael Moller, told the gathering of lawmakers.
The Nigerian Senate President, David Mark, reminded the parliamentarians on the need to uphold the role of the parliament in addressing the multitude of challenges across the world’s conflict zones.
“We must remain vigilant as we strive to achieve peaceful co-existence between and within nations,” he said.
Nigeria is asking neighbouring African countries to collaborate to fight insurgents ravaging some parts of the nation.
Senate President, David Mark and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, held talks with lawmakers of neighbouring countries at the 130th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The outgoing Secretary-General of the IPU, Anders Johnson, while explaining how lasting peace and security across the world can only be achieved through inclusive and participatory processes, revealed that, the IPU had sent trial observers who went on missions to talk to leaders in countries about how best to resolve situations involving different forms of violations of human rights.
Women In Politics
Women participation in politics was also looked into, stressing the need for women to take full advantage of the space created for women in politics.
Rwanda has the highest female participation in politics with over 56 per cent and Nigeria is still below 20 per cent.
Women in Nigeria were, however, urged to gear up and participate in politics.
The IPU also held the election of its Secretary-General, with Cameroonian born Marthin Chungong, emerging as the winner.
It is the first time in 125 years that an African was elected as the IPU
Secretary-General.
The emergence of Mr Chungong is believed to be a good development and progress for Africa.
Challenges affecting legislative processes were also discuss, with court injunctions topping the chart of impediments to lawmaking in all countries.
How can this be tackled? The Clerk of the Nigerian Senate, Mr Benedict Efeturi, explains in the video.
