During the past two years in the Council, Portugal has been working not only ...

During the past two years in the Council, Portugal has been working not only to support the promotion and protection of the rights of women but also to support women's political participation in situations in the agenda of the Council, be it in Libya, Somalia, South Sudan or in Afghanistan. We have also encouraged more interaction between the Council and women mediators that have a direct and personal experience of engaging women and engaging with women, in mediation and conflict prevention. In an Arria formula meeting that we co-organized with the UK, we heard very useful testimonies from experienced mediators, with a direct and personal experience of engaging women in conflict prevention as well as on ways and means to enhance their participation in peace processes.