John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is right, female participation has certainly helped and changed the whole dynamic of the peace process in Mali and has helped frame the content of the peace talks. Unfortunately, Covid has had a huge impact in Mali, as it has in many countries, in particular in developing ones. It has been said Covid-19 has had the same impact on countries such as Mali as conflict is having. Unfortunately, many women who were participating in the peace process have now pulled away from it to go back to their caring roles in their families and communities. That is going to have a huge impact, not just on the peace process but also on the participation of women in those leading roles as well. That is going to create a huge challenge so I am interested in hearing how that particular issue is going to be addressed.

It has the potential to set back the entire peace process, unfortunately, and the major progress that has been made, particularly through female participation.

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