INTERNATIONAL: Women Must Play Greater Role in Conflict Prevention

The United Nations Security Council began Thursday debating on the need for women to have a greater involvement in achieving peace and security. Regarding this topic, a special session was convened marking the 11th anniversary of the adoption of Council resolution 1325, which demanded actions to reverse the egregious and inhumane treatment of women and girls, the denial of their human rights and their exclusion from decision-making in situations of armed conflict, in peacemaking and peace building.

In a report presented on this topic, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called to face the current situation marked by the low number of women involved in conflicts resolution and in the implementation of peace agreements.

He urged Member States to offer training, logistics support or adding a negotiating seat, in order to ensure women's inclusion on delegations. He also encouraged Member States to increase the number of women in their Foreign Service and national security establishments and to take steps to ensure that women diplomats are engaged in leadership roles in conflict resolution. At the same time Mr. Ban decried widespread and systematic abuses of women's rights during conflict. "While there is undoubtedly progress, I am deeply concerned about the persistence of serious abuses of women's rights," he said.