1st August, 2021
By Nathan Nwakamma
Former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan has said that she believes that women can restore peace in the Korean peninsula.
Jonathan spoke at the virtual International Leadership Conference tagged: ‘Toward a Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, organised by the Universal Peace Federation.
According to her, women have God-given talents and endowments that can promote peace in North and South Korea.
She pleaded with world leaders to intensify efforts toward the leadership of North and South Korea to resolve the conflict.
“I, therefore, call on women organisations to intensify their efforts by deploying our God-given talents on the leadership of North and South Korea to see the need to embrace peace,”
“Women are home builders and constitute the majority of caregivers around the world. As critical stakeholders in the peace-building process, we must therefore discharge this role with grace, so that together, we can break new grounds and enthrone the world of our dreams.
“Women are natural peace-builders who play key roles in maintaining peace in our society. We, the women, brought our skills in conflict management and reconciliation to bear on the peace processes that resolved the long-drawn crises in Liberia and Northern Ireland.
“This natural capacity of women is recognized by both United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the United States Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017, which give women a crucial role in conflict management.”
Jonathan pointed out that peace was critical to achieving sustainable development and therefore called on leaders of North and South Korea to commit to peace in the Korean Peninsula.
“We call on leaders of North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan to support peace efforts. Peace is the fertile ground upon which we can nurture development and progress and build hope for our citizens.
“North and South Korea should set aside their political differences and come together in the interest of global peace and harmony. They should remember they once lived together in unity, love and happiness.
“I know that peace in the Korean Peninsula will be a bonus to global development and a boost to world peace,” she said.
NAN