On 25 October 2023, Global Peace held the Global Peace Summit on Women, Peace and Security to take a critical look at how the concept of “Women, Peace and Security” has emerged in the current global context as a pressing and multifaceted framework, aimed at addressing the complex challenges that women face in conflict-ridden regions and promoting their active participation in peace-building efforts.
The Summit further highlighted how the world is grappling with ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and evolving security threats, and how the role of women in these contexts has gained increased recognition and importance. The Summit on Women, Peace and Security also underscored the inherent right of women to live in a world free from violence and conflict, and recognised the invaluable contributions they make to sustainable peace and security in the realisation of the UN Resolutions 1325 & 1820.
The Summit on Women, Peace and Security further stressed that the inclusion of women remains undervalued by many mediators and conflict parties when negotiating and implementing peace and transition agreements.
The Global Peace Summit on Women, Peace and Security was an engagement between speakers and very passionate and dedicated change makers, activists, campaigners, volunteers, and social entrepreneurs across the world on their thoughts, ideas, research, volunteer work, passion, work, and experiences in their designated professional fields.
Global experts on the topic of women, peace and security at the Summit underscored that the inclusion of women at all levels should not be a mere promise but an unequivocal reality. As a result, the Summit on Women, Peace and Security sought to encourage the international community to regard conflict resolution with more comprehensive and inclusive approaches. Additionally, the Summit aimed at fostering a community of women who, by sharing their experiences, conducting research, and advocating for change within their respective regions, can offer a deeper understanding of the intricacies and contemporary significance of this critical subject.
It was also noted that, beyond the roles of women in conflict prevention and active engagement in peacebuilding, women and girls must also receive protection during and after conflicts. Their specific needs throughout repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration, and post-conflict reconstruction must be met, as outlined in the four pillars of Resolution 1325. Key to the issues discussed made reference to the subsequent resolutions that further address the prevention and redress of conflict-related sexual violence, most notably in 2008 with Resolution 1820. Speakers at the Summit on Women, Peace and Security also indicated that a rise in conflict-related sexual violence primarily targeting civilian women and girls, has been witnessed in recent decades.
It was therefore highlighted at the Summit that the inclusion of women remains an undervalued component in the eyes of many mediators and conflict parties when negotiating and implementing peace and transition agreements. Existing systems continue to fall short in this regard, despite research demonstrating the positive correlation between women’s working groups and favourable negotiation outcomes, as well as the beneficial impact of quality participation by women’s groups on implementation results.
Speakers at the Global Peace Summit on Women, Peace and Security 2023 were selected from Congo, Malawi, India, Canada, Thailand, Albania, Netherlands, Niger, Italy, Tunisia, Switzerland, Türkiye, South Africa and Kyrgyzstan.
The Global Peace Summit on Women, Peace and Security 2023 was designed to explore conversations on women, peace and security at all levels with young women leaders and stakeholders in government, the private sector, academia and civil society, on topical issues that directly affect the well-being, livelihoods and future of young women in attaining the SDGs. The summit further sought to generate new ideas and innovation for collective action to build solutions to global issues towards working together for a better world while ensuring increased promotion and advancement of women, peace and security. It is time to work together and create a better, more sustainable future for all. #WomenPeace&Security.
About the Programme Coordinator – Arlinda Ramqaj: Switzerland
Arlinda Ramqaj is 24 years old. She is one of three UN youth delegates for Switzerland. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English literature and psychology from the University of Lausanne. She is currently teaching and finishing her second master’s degree in education and pedagogy. Recently, Arlinda joined the UNESCO programme SDG4 Youth and Students Network on advancing the Transforming Education Agenda. Through her involvement as a UNYD and member of the SDG4 network, she advocates for sustainable development, human rights and education.
