4 August 2015 - Women have a very important role to play in managing conflict, an UNMISS official said in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal today.

“The role of women in conflict management cannot be underestimated. Women as mothers have great role to play,” said Isiaka Adesola Abolurin during a one-day workshop which focused on the role of women in conflict management, reconciliation and peace building.

Some 32 participants drawn from different faith groups at Malakal protection-of-civilians site attended the workshop, which was organized by the mission in collaboration with South Sudan Council of Churches Women’s Group.

Mr. Abolurin urged the women to advocate for peace and to encourage the men who are involved in fighting to avoid war to end the suffering of women and the children.

“(Men) are the ones fighting and women and children are bearing the burden,” he said. “It is the role of women to bring us back to our senses. How will we do this? We have our children and brothers who are participating in this war. It is our responsibility as women to talk to these young men.”

Mr. Abolurin also urged the women to advise their children to live in peace among themselves and to refrain from violence in the POC.

The secretary of the women’s group, Gabriel Chol, encouraged the women to participate and share their ideas so that they can learn and benefit from their experiences.