Informal Expert Group On Women And Peace And Security: Summary Of The Meeting On The Central African Republic, 18 October 2018

On 18 October 2018, the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security held a meeting on the situation in the Central African Republic. The members received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, experts from the Mission and representatives of the United Nations country team. The Special Representative provided a comprehensive overview of key developments since the previous meeting and of progress and challenges in implementing commitments with regard to women and peace and security. Members of the Security Council asked questions about the participation of women in the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation, the use of the recommendations of the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation in the current talks, the visit of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic, the financial needs of the joint rapid response unit to prevent sexual violence against women and children, the ongoing work of MINUSCA to support the participation of women as candidates and voters in the 2020 and 2021 elections, the capacity of the Mission and the country team to report effectively on conflict-related sexual violence and the impact of insecurity, poverty and human rights violations on women, in particular on the access of girls to education.