The Embassy of the United States of America in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe organized, on April 11-12, 2013, the second Women, Peace and Security Conference in Luanda, capital of Angola, under the auspices of the Department of Defense through the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The event, opened by the US Ambassador to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi, aimed to promote prosperity, security and good governance, which are three vital elements for a nation’s future and the three pillars of the US-Angola partnership.
In a year in which the United States of America and the Republic of Angola celebrate 30 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Ambassador Mushingi recalled that women’s contributions were critical throughout our past and will be vital in shaping the future. For the diplomat, “Honoring women is another way of highlighting the value of all human rights – because women’s rights are human rights.”
Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi stressed that “When women contribute effectively to the economy and without limitations on the types of work they can do or positions they can hold, we all prosper. When more of us contribute to the economy, we, as a society, ultimately grow together on a path of mutual success the research is clear: greater inclusion of women in decision-making leads to better decisions.”
During the conference, military and civilian experts (women and men) from the US and Angola addressed topics, such as the Women’s Peace and Security Agenda: Background and Key Terms; Leadership and Change Management in Support of Women, Peace and Security; Women in Media and Strategic Messages; Women in the Armed Forces: Facing Reality; National Action Plans and Defense Organizations and; National Action Plans and Defense Organizations.
The event had the partnership and participation of the Military House of the Presidency of the Republic of Angola, the Ministry of National Defense and Veterans of the Fatherland, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Promotion.
