UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, in an open debate on women, peace and security in the Security Council, stressed that women’s rights are being undermined, while denying them an equal voice in decision-making.
Referring to the escalating crises in Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen, Amina Mohamed stressed that “it is imperative that we strengthen our resolve to advocate for their rights, agency and inclusion at every opportunity.”
UN Deputy Chief of Staff Amina Mohammed also stressed, “In today’s increasingly global mediation landscape, collective action and solidarity are critical.”
The initiative, known as the ‘Shared Pledge’, brings together global actors, including the United Nations, Member States, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations, to take voluntary but firm steps towards equal participation in all peace processes.
Some key points of free discussion
This includes appointing women as lead arbitrators and ensuring that women are an integral part of the arbitration panel.
It also includes setting specific targets in collaboration with representatives of the warring parties to advance the direct and meaningful participation of women.
In addition, parties will consult with women leaders and broader civil society at all stages of the peace process.
The initiative also includes gender expertise of mediating parties to ensure that peace agreements take gender sensitivity into account.
Worldwide protests and boycotts
Speaking at the open discussion, Seema Bauhaus, executive director of UN Women, a leading organization working to empower women, warned that women’s rights are being weakened in many areas due to growing opposition to gender equality.
He said that this situation is seen in extreme form in conflict and war-torn areas where the consequences are more serious.
Seema Bachaus said that marginalizing women’s rights and taking away their autonomy in decision-making can lead to a “narrow difference between life and death”.
“The weaponization of misogyny for political gain is exacting a price that future generations will have to pay. “The cost will be more conflicts and wars, longer wars, more destructive wars.”
Incomparable bravery
Despite these challenges, Seema Vous praised the incredible bravery of women in war situations.
She noted that women continue to make important contributions to stalled peace talks in Syria, from running “secret schools” in Afghanistan to providing aid in Ukraine.
“So our duty is to do something that matches (her) bravery… (that) women I meet around the world.”
A call to overcome obstacles
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed that there should be “no illusions” about the challenges at hand, including the vast geopolitical divide.
“As long as challenges like gender inequality, patriarchal social structures, systemic prejudice, violence and discrimination hold back half of our society, peace will remain an illusion,” he said.
But he also emphasized that progress is possible. He called upon all to take united action by learning from the collective experience.
“Together, we can have more impact than the sum of our individual efforts and can break down patriarchal power structures and advance gender equality,” said Amina Mohammed.
A historical agenda emerges
The open discussion at the Security Council was chaired by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Emhardt, who holds the Security Council presidency in October.
The occasion coincides not only with the 79th United Nations Day, but also with the 24th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 the following week.
This historic Security Council resolution adopted unanimously on 31 October 2000 was the first formal recognition of the gender dimension of war and conflict.
The resolution has four pillars – participation, security, prevention, and relief and recovery, which emphasize the essential role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Since then, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has expanded to several resolutions and global processes, including Resolution 1820. The resolution recognizes the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and calls for greater deployment of female peacekeepers.