Women, Peace and Security- A Critical Component to the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Written by: Sara Malamud

Amina J. Mohammed, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning joined PeaceWomen and partners on 31 July 2014 for our Women, Peace and Security Lecture Series, to discuss the important relationship between the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the post-2015 development agenda.

Amina discussed the recently released Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposal by the General Assembly's Open Working Group (OWG) and underlined that the next steps will be critical. “We now have the ingredients,” she said, “now can we bake a cake?” According to Mohammad, the OWG proposal does contain the elements of a more peaceful and equitable world, addressing not only on extreme poverty, but an integrated agenda for social inclusion, economic transformation and protection of our environment, including for women and girls. She highlighted the importance of moving this proposal to action by ensuring strong means of implementation, unlocking resources, and continuing to engage civil society access in Post-2015 SDG processes from the local to the global levels. PeaceWomen Manager, Abigail Ruane reaffirmed support for addressing root causes of violence and conflict to promote sustainable development and peace; she pointed out the importance of strengthening social spending, reducing military spending, and ensuring accountability for nonstate actors as part of broader efforts to strengthen innovative financing and promote women's human security over militarized state security.

As discussions move forward it will be critical for civil society to continue to be present and for Member States to keep Women, Peace and Security elements in the post-2015 agenda.

Read full summary here and learn more about the Lecture Series here.

Watch the video of the event here.

Learn more about WILPF's involvement in the Post-2015 Development Agenda here.