Participation

Australia is particularly pleased that the Regional Strategic Framework outlines practical steps for addressing violence against women and girls in the region. We also commend its focus on ending the culture of impunity by strengthening institutions, empowering civil society organizations and enhancing judicial cooperation.

Critically, mediation talks, together with broader peacebuilding efforts, must be inclusive of all, particularly women, young people and civil society, if they are to address the grievances that fuel conflict.

As the current Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, allow me to reiterate the importance of the participation of women in political processes related to peace, the protection of civilians, reconciliation efforts and the establishment of a protective environment.

Thirdly, on the role of women, we emphasize the importance of the full and active participation of women in the prevention, the management and the resolution of conflicts, as well as in post-conflict efforts and cooperation. In the experience of the Nordic countries, the genuine participation of women in all aspects of life, in all aspects of peacemaking, is an indispensable foundation for sustainable development.

he fifth is that policies that incentivize private investment and regional cooperation should be implemented with the aim of achieving balanced and integrated development in the region and thereby providing better job prospects and decent incomes for the countries’ populations, particularly women and young people.