Integrated approach to gender dimension of sustainable development within the context of post-conflict recovery

Date: 
Friday, October 3, 2014
United Nation Theme: 
Events

2015 will be a significant year, encompassing the adoption of the post-2015 development framework, the 15th anniversary of resolution 1325 and the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Women's conference. The anniversaries of these milestones, as well as the current discussions on a new set of development goals, present us with a timely occasion to reflect on the progress and setbacks for women around the world, women's empowerment and gender equality.

Despite the progress made to achieve gender equality, women in many parts of the world, particularly those living in post-conflict societies, are still suffering from poverty, acts of violence and discrimination. Countries affected by conflict, violence and insecurity face the greatest challenges in safeguarding human rights, eradicating poverty, promoting social equality and optimizing sustainable development. There is a strong correlation between levels of conflict and gender inequality. To date, conflict and violence have been the most important factors obstructing progress on the Millennium Developments Goals, including the Millennium Developments Goals for women and girls, because violence reduces their access to healthcare and welfare services, economic opportunities and political participation. Rising tensions threaten social cohesion and the rule of law. During the phase of post-war reconstruction, nations are often fragile and present power vacuums that facilitate the rise of extremist groups. It is also in the post-conflict environment that pre-war gender attitudes are once again adopted.

This event will present an opportunity to affirm the centrality of gender equality and women's empowerment to the new Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will address the gathering, while Ms. Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana will speak as a panelist and provide us with her national and regional perspective. After these statements, we will focus on the experiences of four speakers, women from Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Africa and Croatia, who will share their own personal stories of life during post-conflict recovery. The audience will then be given an opportunity for interventions and a discussion will follow.
Host and Chair: H.E. Ms. Vesna Pusić, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of European and Foreign Affairs
Speakers:
H.E. Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women
H.E. Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana
Ms. Naw Hla Hla Soe, chair of WON's Steering Committee and founder of Karen Women Epowerment Group (KWEG), Myanmar
Ms. Robaba Nayebi, Member of the Balkh Provincial Council, Afghanistan
Dr. Vuyokazi Felicity Mahlati, President of the International Women's Forum South Africa
Ms. Fanika Janko, chairwoman of the veterans' cooperative Medene ruke, Vukovar, Croatia
 
Document PDF: 

GA69 Side Event: Post-2015 gender in post-conflict recovery