On Friday, the African Union special sent for womenpeace and security highlighted need for female participation in all aspects of life, emphasizing role of women in Africa.
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Bineta Diop said: “Africans women have suffered in conflicts”, but also pointed out that this does not only happen in Africa but in all parties of the world as we have seen in crisis in Ukraine,” she said.
Diop pointed out that women are mainly those who are hard hit but stressed the “resilience of women in Africa” is not publicized enough.
“In Africa, women are resilient. In Africa, women are the backbone of society. In Africa, women make a significant contribution to our development”, she said, adding that her priority as special sent” is from give hope womenit’s ok on ground in solidarity to tell them that Africa is with you.”
Diop’s role also includes “to do sure let their voices be heard, give give them the confidence, the ability, provide them with the support,” she says.
Quoting the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Diop said: “What we are discussing here is, as far as the negotiating table is concerned, for Example, women are missing.”
“It’s those who have the muscles, they are those who have the weapons that have been called to the table. So why is this? We need invite women”, she said and expressed the need of including women in such cases “because you know, women also have knowledge.”
“They think that because we’re silent, we don’t know. But they have the expertise and also the fact that they (women) are the one in the communitythey are one negotiate at the community level”, she added.
To define women as “soft diplomats”, said Diop, “we need to bring women in the heart of the discussion, of the dialogue and it happens here (Antalya Diplomacy Forum).”
Regarding a question about the projects underway at her office to the African Union, she said one is governance.
“We have created a platform for women on leadership women – the African women leaders, network Platform. Because we need women across the continent to meet,” she said.
List education as another projectla special the messenger said: “A of the great projects we do is in college to have a curriculum for young women and men. Because this issue of gender equality is not about women only, it is a thing of society. So you would do need to educate the men and the women on the relation between men and women.”
She also Express son admiration for Turkey first Lady Emine Erdoğan for its efforts towards Africa and Africa women. Diop said: “She promotes Africa’s cultural womenest art. Especially the craft work made by womenand i think it’s a way for change the narrative of african women to say african women do a lot.”
Say she will participate in the panel “Strengthening Solidarity and Promoting Peace through Soft Power” at the forum on Saturday with the Turkish first Madam, Diop said: “We are going to talk about soft diplomacy. We will see how the soft diplomacy that was used in our history, how we can bring it back.”
Diop quoted a concept from the late president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, “Ubuntu”, and defined it as follows: “I exist because you exist, so the connection is that if something arrive, it will affect me. So I think this whole crisis between Ukraine and Russia, what she teaches us we are in one world. If it affects them, it will affect the whole world.”
She also criticized the United Nations Security Council for “injustice” for not to mention the African continent.
