A former U.S. ambassador has announced a multimillion dollar pledge to support a landmark U.N. resolution calling for women to be included in decision-making positions at every level of peacemaking and peacebuilding.
Swanee Hunt, a lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, said Tuesday that the Institute for Inclusive Security which she chairs will provide $2 million per year for the foreseeable future to advance women's participation in peace efforts, as called for in the 2000 U.N. resolution.
"We estimate that the contributions of our eight partners will total an additional $2 million per year," she said.
Hunt announced the pledges during the Clinton Global Initiative which ended Tuesday.
She said roadmaps to accelerate women's role in peacemaking have been adopted by the U.S. and 37 other countries but not enough plans are making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
"When it comes to the value of women's strong participation in securing lasting, just peace, there's no longer a debate," Hunt said. "Instead, there's a need for meaningful action."
The new funding will be used to deploy experts to work with government officials, legislators and civic leaders on a range of issues including strategic planning and adding women to negotiating teams, Hunt said.
The money will also be used to assist watchdog groups trying to track what governments are doing and hold them accountable, and to assess the impact of national initiatives to bring women into critical decision-making involving war and peace, she said.
