25 March 2015 in Antananarivo, Within the framework of National Reconciliation and Peacebuilding, the Gender-Links, in partnership with the African Union, organised a dialogue, from 23 to 24 March, between the Malagasy women for their contribution to the reconciliation and peacebuilding process in Madagascar.

Reconciliation, municipal elections and brainstorming on the Security Sector Reform (SSR) are on the national agenda and the Roadmap signed in 2011.

Notwithstanding the progress and commitment of national and religious authorities to conduct the various processes to the end, several challenges, among which is the integration of the gender dimension, are to be taken up for the country to regain lasting political, economic and cultural stability.

It is in this perspective that the initiative of Gender Links was supported by the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Division of the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, so as to establish a space for dialogue for the non-State actors. The contribution of the latter, particularly women and youths, will make it possible to ensure inclusiveness and take into consideration the deep aspirations of the entire nation.

The two-day workshop was officially launched by the Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Madagascar, Ambassador Hawa Ahmed Youssouf and the Mediator of the Republic, Mrs. Monique Andreas ESOAVELOMANDROSO and the Representative the Minister in charge of Population, Social Protection and Promotion of Women, Mr. Jean Michel BEDO.

In her Statement, Mrs. Hawa Ahmed Youssouf welcomed "all the efforts made by the national and religious authorities for the different meetings organised in the capital in order to facilitate dialogue between the political actors of the country and for consultations with the people in the regions". She reiterated the commitment of the African Union to uphold all the principles included in the "Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa" of July 2004. The National Mediator stressed the need to "make concrete progress in the inclusion and participation of women in all important discussions including the national reconciliation process and the Security Sector Reform."

 

At the end of the meeting, the participants adopted the "Antananarivo Declaration", in which they asked for greater, meaningful and effective participation of women in the decision-making, national reconciliation, peacebuilding, elections, Security Sector Reform and development process.

Similarly, they requested the ratification of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development of 2008, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women (2003-Maputo), the adoption a National Implementation Plan for Resolution 1325 and the adoption of a national law on the proportional representation of women.

Mrs. Really Onitiana, Minister in charge of Population, Social Protection and Promotion of Women, committed herself, on the occasion of the closing ceremony, to defend the Declaration of the women and to support the process for the ratification of the international and regional documents relating to the women's rights of women.

 

Done in Antananarivo, 25 March 2015

 

 

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