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Showing posts from November, 2024

Stop Arming Conflict and Start Funding Peace: A Call to Action by Wilson Babangida Agboti, Community Impact Affinity (CIA) Chief Operating Officer

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  Stop Arming Conflict and Start Funding Peace: A Call to Action   In a world fraught with escalating conflicts, it is imperative to question why the global arms trade continues to thrive while efforts to fund peace initiatives lag behind. The irony is stark: nations allocate trillions of dollars annually to weaponry, perpetuating violence and instability, yet the financial and political support for peacebuilding efforts remains woefully insufficient.   The Cost of Arming Conflict   According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure reached $2.24 trillion in 2023, marking an alarming trend of increased militarization. This surge fuels ongoing conflicts, undermines development, and exacerbates humanitarian crises. Countries in conflict zones bear the brunt of these expenditures, where funds that could have been directed toward education, healthcare, and infrastructure are diverted to sustain warfare.   ...

The utilization of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with Regards to Gender Perspective in the Planning and Conduct of Military Operations

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  The utilization of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with Regards to Gender Perspective in the Planning and Conduct of Military Operations  By Wilson Babangida Agboti, Defence/Development Consultant Publication Date: 18 th Nov, 2024   Introduction International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which governs the conduct of armed conflict, seeks to protect those who do not or no longer participate in hostilities. Its core principles—distinction, proportionality, and precaution—aim to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects. However, in the context of modern conflicts, gendered risks require specific attention. Incorporating a gender perspective in the planning and conduct of military operations is essential to better protect women, men, boys, and girls from the unique vulnerabilities they face during conflicts.     Understanding Gender in IHL IHL provides special protections for women, recognizing their distinct vulnerabilities, including t...