New York, 8 March 2023 (TDI): Stella Ronner, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) for Gender and Diversity presented a statement on behalf of the EU & its member states at the United Nations (UN) Security Council: Open Debate on Women Peace and Security (WPS).
The Ambassador stated that candidate countries namely Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the potential candidate country Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino, may as well align with the EU statement.
The statement highlighted the pressing need for apprising and addressing the aberrant effects of armed conflict on women and girls.
There is immense rampancy of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), conflict-related sexual violence, and offline and online harassment.
The far-reaching impacts of gender-based violence demand the utmost attention. The implementation of the UN’s agenda for women’s peace and security (WPS) must be the highest priority of the Security Council.
The evolving security landscape is primarily characterized by hybrid threats, hydro-energy politics, unrestrained disinformation, food insecurity, and excessive weaponization of suffering.
Amid such daunting challenges, there is a dismal pattern of women rights defenders and peacebuilders being targeted in many parts of the world. This is unacceptable. The Security Council should condemn this inhumanity with sagacious actions.
The matter requires close cooperation between the UN, member states, regional organizations, academia, civil society, human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and media persons at forefront of highlighting distressing events of conflict zones.
On the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, the EU is committed to encouraging and promoting zero tolerance for reprisal against women, human rights defenders, and peacebuilders.
The EU welcomes the Secretary General’s initiative for a new peace agenda. The new agenda shall embrace the existing WPS clauses and strengthen the ability of the UN and all partners to deliver it in full faith.
Women’s rights and gender equality should be at the heart of peace and security initiatives in the coming years alongside the full implementation of the Peacebuilding Commission’s gender strategy.
Also read: Norwegian delegation prepares for UN Commission on Status of Women
The EU continues to contribute to WPS through gender mainstreaming in civilian and military missions and operations, which currently deploy 5000 women and men worldwide, working for peace and security.
Furthermore, the EU has adopted Council recommendations on WPS in November 2022, reassuring its commitment to equal and meaningful participation of women in security-related decisions.
Lastly, the statement upheld the EU’s resolve to work actively with women’s organizations and women human rights defenders in conflict zones.
It pledged a vital involvement with women mediators, journalists, media workers, and peacebuilders.
The EU is devoted to working with the women workforce through bilateral & multilateral diplomacy in areas of conflict prevention, countering violent extremism & radicalization, peace negotiations, climate, peace, and security, humanitarian action & development programs.
){kind=link}