NNA – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, saluted the statement of the women of the world on International Women’s Day, which stated: “Peace cannot be achieved without the participation of women and their presence at the table of negotiating powers. There is no justice without them. There is no democracy. Without the participation of women, in all their diversity, no progress can be achieved at all.
This year, we celebrate International Women’s Day at a time of unparalleled crisis. Climate change is ravaging our planet and threatening the existence of humanity. Inequalities widen and deepen, causing more suffering. The multiple conflicts raging around the world are generating unimaginable human tragedy.
In times of conflict, women hold families and entire communities together. I have witnessed this time and time again, which clearly highlights their strength and amazing ability to confront and withstand crises. But they also suffer from harms that specifically affect them.
I think of the thousands of women today who are being deliberately targeted in war zones, through rape or sexual violence. And in the millions of women who are left with the responsibility of keeping families alive, or making decisions about whether to stay or flee. And pregnant women who have no choice but to give birth to their children in a bombed shelter, without any medical assistance. And the millions of women and girls who were stripped of their strength and abilities by the absurdity of war.
This reality should shock us all and motivate us to take action. It also makes us wonder how we reached this point.
Women have lived for centuries under male power structures. And centuries of misogyny and male domination. And the normalization of hatred. And silencing voices. And the complete failure of male-centric global governance to provide appropriate solutions.
Today’s conflicts, largely sparked and directed by men, are pushing global security into disarray. Military spending has reached record levels and the arms trade is making huge profits.
However, today I would like to ask: Where is the investment in peace? Where is the investment in gender equality that we so desperately need?
At the grassroots level, women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and feminist movements have resolutely led efforts to build peace and catalyze social transformation. The transformations we have seen towards gender equality are interesting. However, the voices of women and girls at decision-making tables on prominent peace and reconciliation processes today remain marginal at best.
In parallel, the data paints a bleak picture of reality. Of the 18 peace agreements reached in 2022, only one agreement was signed with the participation or presence of a representative of a women’s group or organization. Only a small portion of bilateral aid supports feminist, women-led and women’s rights organizations in countries affected by conflict or crisis.
The lack of women’s participation in peace and peacebuilding processes is a sign of their broader underrepresentation in leadership positions across all sectors. To date, no country has ever achieved gender equality. Setbacks against women and girls and the value of gender equality continue to undermine the rights, freedoms and independence of half of humanity.
This year is an election year par excellence and the first of its kind in history, as we have the opportunity to change the status quo, involve more women in leadership, and change the course of the downward spiral of global peace and security. The results of these elections have the potential to influence women’s empowerment, gender equality and peace policies for the years to come.
Lasting peace will only be built with women at the negotiating table. The international community must urgently make this a reality.
We need more women in governance systems and greater investments in peace, social protection and climate justice.
We need peacebuilding and reconstruction policies that challenge and transform governments, and that include women and their voices. We need sustained funding and support for women peacebuilders, human rights defenders and feminist organizations, including providing funding when their security is at risk. And safe and open spaces for dialogue and the participation of women on an equal basis with men in political processes. We need foreign policies that are informed and guided by feminist principles. I welcome the steps already taken by some countries in this regard. Finally, we must address the root causes of gender discrimination in order to eliminate cycles of conflict and oppression.
Next year marks 25 years since the adoption of landmark Security Council Resolution 1325, which affirmed that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women have an equal and meaningful voice in conflict prevention, relief, recovery and peace processes.
I salute and express my solidarity with all women and girls who defend human rights in the midst of conflicts. We are fully aware that the rights of women and girls form the backbone of peace and sustainable development. Lifting our world out of crises and conflict depends on the steps we decide to take today to ensure that women and girls lead and shape all critical decisions that affect not only them but all of humanity.”
=======A.A.
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2024-03-08 08:19:25
