Participation

The Participation theme focuses on women’s representation and participation in peace processes, electoral process – as both the candidate and voter – UN decision-making positions, and in the broader social-political sphere.

The Security Council acknowledges the need for strategies to increase women’s participation in all UN missions and appointments to high-level positions in SCR 1325(OP3) and 1889(OP4) and further emphasises the need for women’s participation in peacebuilding processes (1889). 

Specifically, it calls for the mobilisation of resources for advancing gender equality and empowering women (OP14), reporting on the progress of women’s participation in UN missions (OP18), equal access to education for women and girls in post-conflict societies (OP11), and the increase of women’s participation in political and economic decision-making (OP15). Until this language translates into action, the potential for women’s full and equal contribution to international peace and security will remain unrealized.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

Leveraging the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Gender Equality and Peace: WILPF Webinar on the 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF)

SDGs.pdf

Critical Next Steps In Enhancing Women's Equality And Empowerment

Critical Next Steps In Enhancing Women's Equality and Empowerment .pdf

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Secondly, in order to be more efficient, we believe that reporting on the number of victims is useful as it assists in determining subsequent steps that must be taken to ensure ongoing care for victims. The series of reports all indicate that the figures quoted are always far removed from the true numbers. That is an area that can gain more visibility by highlighting the obstacles that must be overcome to eliminate such violence.

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While people of both genders are very much at risk of being targeted for abuse, it goes without saying that the burden of sexual violence in conflict falls overwhelmingly and disproportionately on women and girls.

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We fully support efforts to increase and prioritize the participation of women at all levels in peace processes and mediation efforts.

Participation

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Sexual abuse and discrimination are directly linked to gender inequality, poverty, exclusion and marginalization. Sexual violence is a deliberate and intolerable violation of the victim’s human rights. When women and girls are preyed upon, abused and raped, the international community has a responsibility to speak out on their behalf and to act as their advocates and guardians.

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Allow me to end by stressing that we should not overlook civilian expertise. The pool of civilian capacities can be broadened and deepened for peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict. One way is to involve women survivors. They should be encouraged to participate in peacekeeping operations training so that troops on the ground are aware and more in tune with the signs of sexual violence and exploitation.

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We must also to take into account the essential role played by civil-society organizations, which often complement the work done by military, security and civilian personnel in conflict and post-conflict settings and in emergency situations.

Participation

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We must empower women and involve them as leaders in conflict resolution and in peace negotiations. We should not only see them as victims but see and treat them as leaders, and empower them accordingly.

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