Strengthening Accountability and Financing for Gender Equality and Peaceful Societies: 2016 High Level Political Forum

Abigail Ruane, Director of the PeaceWomen Programme of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), introduces the High Level Political Forum and the importance of advocating for a gendered analysis of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Read the entire piece by Abigail Ruane below, or see the original here. 

In 2015, governments for the first time recognised that peace is part of sustainable development, by adopting Sustainable Development Goals including stand-alone goals on gender equality (Goal 5) and peace (Goal 16).

Next week, governments will meet for the first time to assess and review the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the 11-20 July High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at UN Headquarters in New York.

As part of WILPF’s work to strengthen conflict prevention and promote accountability on gender equality and peace, WILPF will monitor the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). We will also leverage this space to build momentum on strengthened accountability and financing of gender equality and peace with aworkshop and side event on Women, Peace and Security Financing.

ABOUT THE HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM

The High Level Political Forum is the main accountability mechanism of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The priority theme this year is: “Ensuring that No One is Left Behind.”

The HLPF will result in a ministerial declaration as well as voluntary commitments. In addition, twenty-two member states will be submitting national voluntary reviews: China, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Madagascar, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, and Venezuela.

WILPF will monitor the High Level Political Forum for issues of gender equality and peace as part of our on-going conflict prevention work.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY FINANCING

WILPF – PeaceWomen Side Event at the HLPF “Ensuring that No One is Left Behind”

In addition to monitoring the HLPF, WILPF is leveraging this space to bring together women human rights defenders and peace activists working on security issues to mobilise together for strengthened accountability and financing for the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

We will host a two-day workshop on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Financing on 7-8 July in collaboration with a variety of partners including the Women’s Major Group and NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. At the workshop, we will map financial flows available for gender equality and peace, share good practice examples in development and security arenas on strengthening WPS financing, and map strategies for building synergies and action for change.

We will also report back from the workshop at a side event oriented toward member states on Monday 11 July and share our findings and recommendations for action.

Almost 9 months after the Global Study on UNSCR 1325 and more than 15 years after UNSCR 1325, it is time to move the money from a political economy of war to a political economy of gender justice and peace. The Sustainable Development Goals provide one clear opportunity for action.

There can be no development without disarmament and women’s full and equal human rights.

Join us in demanding that your government implement the SDGs through a women’s human rights lens for peace, and step up financing of gender equality and peaceful societies.

It is time to demand action. Join us!