Statement of the Department of Political Affairs at the Open Debate on the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, March 28 2016
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
The Secretary-General has made the advancement of women a top priority since he assumed office and has instructed the senior management of the Secretariat to place the issue at the centre of what they do. This system-wide focus signalled the beginning of an important reorientation, informed by the basic fact that women living with conflict have strategic knowledge and networks that can contribute to its resolution. Recent research has also established that women’s participation in peace talks facilitates not only the conclusion of agreements and their implementation but — crucially — also the sustainability of peace.
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
To advance these efforts, the Department of Political Affairs has developed a high-level mediation-skills training. Half of the participants are women and the training aims to enhance gender parity and the future character and configuration of international peacemaking. To build institutional capacity, the Department conducts semi-annual training on gender/ women, peace and security. As a result, some 164 envoys and senior mediation actors have taken part in the high-level seminar series on gender and inclusive mediation.
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
We must, however, not forget that despite the concerted efforts of international and regional organizations, as well as of national Governments, to eliminate discrimination and promote the empowerment of women, unequal access and opportunities for women’s participation in political decision-making processes persist worldwide.
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
Peace processes afford unique opportunities for promoting women’s effective participation. The United Nations therefore supports regional and subregional organizations by promoting and strengthening regional capacities for inclusive mediation to enable the more effective participation of women at all levels of peacemaking. This cooperation is built on the knowledge that women’s effective participation in transformative decision-making processes will address underlying inequalities and social divisions. It also addresses the specific needs of women and helps to incorporate a stronger gender perspective in reconstruction, reconciliation and post-conflict peacebuilding.
Statement of the Department of Political Affairs, March 28, 2016
The case for inclusive preventive diplomacy is compelling. Experience has shown that, if we are present, with early diplomatic initiatives and by actively engaging civil society — notably women’s organizations — with the support of the international community and the necessary resources, we stand a better chance of helping prevent and resolve conflicts and in making political stability and peace more sustainable.