LIBERIA: SRSG Ellen Løj Dialogues with Liberian Women Leaders

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in Liberia, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Loj yesterday interacted with Liberian Women Leaders at the Angie Brooks International Centre at the University of Liberia Fendell Campus.

The interaction was part of ceremony commemorate Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security as "Global Open Day for Women and Peace".

Women were given the opportunity to express their views on women peace building and gender based violence against women during a dialogue which brought together women leaders from Monrovia and other parts of the country.

The UN Gender Team Group in Liberia facilitated the opening day of the dialogue between SRSG Loj and 20 Liberian Women Leaders. The forum was meant to allow the UN hears Liberian women's voices on how contemporary processes of conflict resolution and peace building can be enhanced through the integration of women's concerns.

Similar process is taking place in all UN Peacekeeping Missions during the week beginning June 7. The results will be inserted into the vision for the next ten years on how to better implement resolution 1325.

In her opening speech, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Loj said among other things that October, marked the tenth anniversary of the Security Council's groundbreaking Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which called for higher levels of women's involvement in peacemaking and peace-building.

She said the anniversary is an opportunity to re-affirm the core message of that landmark text: sustainable peace is possible only with women's full participation, their perspectives, their leadership, their daily, equal presence and whatever is needed to make and keep the peace.

Madam Loj also maintained that progress has indeed been achieved. She said peace processes are now regular including consultations with women's peace groups.

"In many post-conflict countries, the number of women in government has increased dramatically, and they have used their public decision-making roles to advance women's rights."

Within the United Nations itself, Ms Loj disclosed that there are now eight women Special Representatives and Deputy Special Representatives. Bangladesh and India that have deployed all-female UN Police Units to peacekeeping operations; and UN Police have developed strategies and measures to better protect women from violence.

But, she said the gaps remain significant that only few women participate in peacemaking and peace-building.

"The "Global Open Day for Women and Peace" is meant to re-invigorate our efforts to realize the vision set out in Resolution 1325. I count on all partners to support the United Nations in translating women's priorities into real and meaningful action," the UN Envoy concluded.