Statement of the PeaceBuilding Commission at the Open Debate on the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, March 28 2016
Statement of the PeaceBuilding Commission, March 28 2016.
Since its establishment, the Peacebuilding Commission has supported the idea that women must participate in peacebuilding processes and contribute to decision-making in the reconstruction of their countries. The Peacebuilding Commission strongly believes that women’s participation is crucial to inclusive, participatory and sustainable peacebuilding processes. The report of the Advisory Group of Experts on the review of peacebuilding architecture strongly reaffirms that ensuring women’s full participation in peacebuilding processes is “crucial to the success of economic recovery, political legitimacy and social cohesion” (S/2015/490, annex, para. 56).
Statement of the PeaceBuilding Commission, March 28 2016.
Yet despite the persistent exclusion of women from the loci of power and influence in many societies across the world, women have continued to make a significant contribution to developing inclusive approaches to security, peacebuilding and conflict prevention in their own unique ways. As such, women remain a resource that has not been effectively utilized or enabled to build sustainable peace.
Statement of the PeaceBuilding Commission, March 28 2016.
Hindrances to women’s participation in peace and security include cynical cultural practices that maintain patriarchal attitudes and norms; insufficient political will across the board to fully implement resolution 1325 (2000) and associated resolutions; militarized interventions and approaches to conflict resolution that tend to crowd out other organic initiatives within society that help build resilience, particularly during peacekeeping and countering violent extremism, which put women at a disadvantage; and the absence of gender-sensitive economic recovery following conflict, which poses a barrier to women empowerment during transitions. Similarly, top-down bureaucratic processes in implementing the women and peace and security agenda have neglected the local ownership aspects that a complementary bottom-up approach would help bring about.
Statement of the PeaceBuilding Commission, March 28 2016.
Realizing the ambition of a better more inclusive future and a sustainable world that achieves sustainable development — with sustainable peace and security for all at its core — will require that we respond forcefully and with determination to the issue and condition of women and girls in our societies. The centrality of gender issues within families and communities, especially with regard to the protection and promotion of girls and women, cannot be gainsaid. That is equally true within, and among, nations. That is why we are having this debate here today in the Security Council. But words without actions are shameful and futile. Global peace and harmony are intrinsically tied up with the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls everywhere. We must act accordingly. Let there be no doubt about that.