Statement by Women for Peace Network on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 (The need to stop the suffering of women and children caused by violence and violations of international humanitarian law in the Middle East and North Africa).
The year 2023 marks the twenty-third anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, a pioneering resolution as the first resolution to recognize women’s leadership role in achieving international peace and security and their contributions to preventing and resolving conflicts and preserving and building peace.
Implementing the women, peace and security priorities is a non-negotiable political commitment, which confirms that the full, meaningful and equal participation of women in peace processes and political solutions is essential for effective peacekeeping and sustainable peace outcomes. Although multiple gains have been achieved to enhance women’s participation over the years, whether in Iraq, the Middle East, North Africa or the world, after 23 years, during which subsequent decisions were issued, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done, as women leaders continue to Through diverse networks and organizations, they lead work and informal mediation in conflict resolution and peace at the regional, national and community levels, and political advocacy to achieve their full participation in peace and political processes, but their participation often remains non-central in formal peace processes, even in cases where they have signed or They developed plans and agreements for peace. We are at a crossroads: we will either lose hard-won gains in women's rights and sustainable peace, or achieve greater equality and resilience on a path to lasting and comprehensive peace.
Ensuring the equal and meaningful participation of women in all areas of peace and security is vital to responding to this crisis and creating a better, more sustainable world. We are dismayed by the recent events in Gaza and call for adherence to international law and respect for human rights principles. Moreover, what is happening is a blow to the sustainable peace project, which makes us reaffirm our commitment to the 2030 sustainable development agenda, and we urge all parties to find solutions to stop the bloodshed and violations committed by Israel in the Palestinian territories. Interest in building peace is the only way to restore confidence in the Council’s systems. The United Nations, because unfortunately the international community has failed to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for the actual violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed against Palestinian civilians, Including women, and failing to achieve justice, provide protection and respect for human rights, the United Nations Security Council has faltered in adopting a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for humanitarian reasons in the wake of the recent escalation. While Israel must fulfill its legal obligations, and must be held accountable for current and past violations as an occupying power, the Security Council itself is violating Article 11 of Security Council Resolution No. 1325, which calls for not granting immunity to perpetrators of war crimes, noting that 60% of the deaths They are women and children. As a result of this failure, violence and violations of international humanitarian law continue to threaten not only women and children in Palestine, but also the Middle East and the world due to double standards, i.e. applying the resolution in other countries and not implementing it in countries like Palestine, in addition to the American financial and military support for Israel, and the use of the United States The United States has a regular veto over Security Council resolutions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Once again on this occasion, and based on its role in promoting and protecting human rights, the Network reiterates its emphasis on the necessity of developing policies, enacting legislation, and taking the necessary national measures to protect women from violence, and to ensure that they enjoy, without discrimination, all their basic rights and freedoms stipulated in the international human rights treaties and conventions to which they have joined Iraq.
The importance of this decision comes from the fact that it allows Iraqi women to actively participate politically, build broad alliances and partnerships, document violations, and raise the level of awareness among the local and international community of the necessity of supporting women’s political activity to increase their representation in all decision-making positions, including technical and technical committees, and participation in reconciliation committees. Negotiating and promoting peace and security for women to support their progress. We also call on United Nations and the member states of the Security Council to intervene urgently and issue a special resolution that addresses the situation in Palestine in general and women in particular and stop their suffering, and the main obstacles that hinder their participation and the advancement of the agenda of women, peace and security, and then women leaders continue to play a great role in establishing a state.
It is characterized by justice, resilience and democracy.
Women for Peace Network
October 31, 2023