Aisha Buhari Calls for Strategic Support for Women, Children

Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari has said all hands must be on deck to ensure that the crisis in Sudan is not allowed to escalate beyond what it is.

She revealed this today while presiding over the 10th General Assembly of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Recall that the 9th assembly of the mission held in November 2021 appraised the conflict situation in Africa and noted escalating threats of insecurity and violence pointing to their devastating effects on women and children who bear the greatest consequences.

The Nigerian First Lady who expressed concern over the huge humanitarian crisis caused by the war which has largely affected women and children, stated that the assembly is open to engage with all relevant bodies to advance support strategies.

Mrs Buhari also highlighted the impact of continuous challenges including banditry, and insurgency among others which according to her have festered and revived the need for more concerted action regarding the issue of women’s peace and security in Africa.

As the outgoing President of the 9th Assembly of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission, she further reinforced the call to support women and young girls, to ensure they are not perceived or seen as victims of the war but as solutions, particularly through constructive engagements and peacebuilding.

She called for the adoption of other approaches such as constructive engagement with wealthy individuals to create deliberate opportunities for poverty reduction, engaging the media as a key player to be tasked with its agenda-setting role, emphasising that educational institutions must introduce a curriculum of peace studies and promote the development of peace clubs in secondary schools.

Women In Politics: Aisha Buhari Seeks More Foreign Support

The first lady is also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union as the tenure of her husband, President Muhammdu Buhari ends on the 29th of May 2023, a new president and vice president have been elected during the closed-door session of the 10th assembly and they are the first lady of Burundi as the President AFLPM and the Vice President is the First Lady of Niger Republic.

Among those present at the event is the wife of the President-elect, Senator Remi Tinubu; wives of Presidents and governors from other African countries and members of the diplomatic corps.

It is worth noting that the assembly is dedicated to peace, security, and mitigation of violent conflicts.

Meanwhile, contributions at the event are expected to help transform the continent, promote a culture of peace and attain the Sustainable Development Goals.