Participation

We call for greater recognition of, and support for, women’s participation in all stages of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation.

As a group of countries promoting human security, the Human Security Network would like to emphasize that the personal security of women is essential for human security. Women’s empowerment and participation are the cornerstones of any prevention and protection response.

The economic, political and social empowerment of women and girls reduces their vulnerability and enhances their ability to protect themselves and exercise their rights. In that regard, we need to ensure that women and girls’ interests are fully respected and systematically integrated in the context of peace processes. Strategies for the effective integration of gender perspectives should therefore be pursued to promote women’s empowerment and participation.

To conclude, Slovenia agrees with the report of the Secretary-General that prioritizing gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace and security settings must remain a continued effort. We all must strive to remove obstacles to women’s participation, in particular in efforts to prevent and combat sexual- and gender-based violence and harmful practices that impede women from enjoying human rights on an equal footing with other members of society.