Date: 21-09-2021Time: 16:00-17:30 New York/ 22:00 BrusselsLocation: online
Women are often at the front lines. Whether it is in the role of human rights defender, political activist, health worker, reporter or peacebuilder: women contribute substantially to conflict prevention and resolution.
From Afghanistan, to Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Belarus or Colombia, women are leading
movements for justice, accountability and peace, and they play a key role in rebuilding their
communities. There is evidence showing that women’s participation in peace processes
contributes to more durable and resilient peace after conflict.
Yet, women remain largely excluded from matters related to peace and security. Women
represent only 6% of signatories of major peace processes worldwide, and only 22% of peace
agreements include gender equality provisions.
Gender-based violence and discrimination, along with a lack of adequate protection measures,
represent a major challenge for women’s participation. Sexual violence continues to be used as
a method of warfare. Together with other structural threats, such as economic insecurity, and
the non-enforcement of legal protections, sexual and gender-based violence silences women and
hampers their freedom to act. A paradigm shift is needed to protect and empower women in
conflict situations, and to address and eliminate the specific forms of violence they encounter.
Objective
Taking place in the margins of the UN General Assembly, and co-sponsored by the European
Union, UN Women and Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, the High-Level event of the Group of
Friends for the elimination of violence against women and girls will bring the voices and
experiences of women in conflict to the forefront of the international arena.
The meeting will aim to:
- Outline the positive roles and contributions of women, including leaders and survivors, in
conflict situations.
- Highlight the specific challenges and threats they encounter in order to identify
appropriate measures to ensure their participation and protection, including access to
holistic services.
- Mobilise action and resources through commitments by world leaders.
Expected outcome
The event will reaffirm the commitments of world leaders to the protection of women and girls
in conflict and to their full, equal and meaningful participation. Heads of State and Government
will be invited to take concrete and robust actions to end conflict-related gender-based violence
and to support the roles of women in shaping peace processes.
Speakers
- H.E. Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council (host)
- H.E. Mr Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (tbc)
- H.E. Ms Pramila Patten, Executive Director a.i. of UN Women
- Ms Fawzia Koofi, First Woman Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Afghanistan
- Dr Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, gynecologist, DRC
- Ms Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador, Iraq
- Ms Fátima Muriel, President of Alianza de Organizaciones de Mujeres "Tejedoras de Vida”,
Colombia
- Ms Dima Moussa, Member of the Syrian Constitutional Committee
- Testimonies by survivors
- World leaders
Moderator: Stéphanie Fillion, UN Correspondent and journalist specialising in international
affairs
