United Nations or UN called for women access to control natural resources such as land, water, forests and minerals to achieve long-term peace.
UN Environment Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner in a report released on Friday said women form the majority of resource users and managers for peace building.
The Director said “peace and development can only be achieved when both men and women access and benefit from natural resources in an equitable and sustainable way.”
The report said women in conflict-affected countries were primarily responsible for meeting the water, food and energy needs of households and communities.
It further revealed that women were largely excluded from owning land, benefiting from wealth and participating in decision-making about resource management.
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said women bear the burden of conflicts in many ways and become the sole caretakers of their families and communities.
The Director stressed that women’s full participation and access to natural resources are urgent priorities for rebuilding peaceful societies.