New York: Around the world, women are missing from peace negotiations. Between 1992 and 2019, women constituted on average just 13 per cent of negotiators in major peace processes worldwide. And less than 8 per cent of peace agreements in 2018 contained provisions relating to gender — down from 39 per cent in 2015.
Peace agreements still fail to benefit from the vast knowledge and expertise of women and to consider women’s rights and priorities. Many obstacles to women’s participation are rooted in the design of peace processes, and an absence of political will and commitment. There are also practical considerations that can be powerful barriers to women’s participation. These range from travel expenses to translation, childcare and logistical and technical support.
“We must continue to address these at all levels and through all channels,” United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, said in a video message for the high-level official launch of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund’s Rapid Response Window on women and peace processes held today. This is a new tool to support women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, envisioned and supported by the governments of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Norway.
It may be recalled that in his 2019 report on Women, Peace and Security, the UN Secretary-General had taken aim at these practical barriers and recommended that the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund should create a specific mechanism to address immediate barriers to women’s participation in peace processes.
“I am happy to see this come to life today,” said Amina. She informed that the Rapid Response Window was designed in consultation with women peace-builders and will deliver flexible funding to civil society organisations, so that women can take their rightful place at the peace table.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the effectiveness of women’s leadership, and of gender-balanced decision-making at all levels. As we strive to achieve sustainable and inclusive peace, security and development, we must invest in the pathways and mechanisms — like the Rapid Response Window — that will get us there quickly,” she said, and urged others to join this “important initiative”.
– global bihari bureau
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