No peace without women: OSCE Chairmanship conference puts implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in focus

BERLIN, 18 November 2016 - When it comes to peace and security in the world, what role should and must women play? This and other questions were discussed today at a conference held under Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship in the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. The event under the title "A Case for Inclusive Peace and Security: How to Accelerate the Implementation of UNSCR 1325?" was co-organized by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the German Foreign Office.

During the day-long conference participants from the spheres of politics, administration, the military, the police, civil society and academia explored the role and experiences of women in peace missions and peace processes and discussed how women’s inclusion in all phases of conflict prevention and conflict management can be improved. The conference was opened by Manuela Schwesig, Germany’s Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, and Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid.

“Rape and sexual violence are often used by parties to a conflict as a means to humiliate and terrorize women and girls. However, men are also subject to such violence. These are war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said Schwesig. “I call for women to be included as equal partners in peace processes and reconstruction because there can be no peace without women.”

Kofler underlined the importance of UNSCR 1325 for maintaining peace in the world. “No conflict can be permanently resolved if half the population is excluded from peace efforts. That is why UNSCR 1325 is a milestone, not only for the protection and inclusion of women, but also for international peace policy.”

Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Gender Issues, was one of the panelists at the conference. She said: “In my experience as Gender Representative in working with many OSCE countries, I have found growing awareness and need to accelerate implementation of the OSCE’s commitments to strengthening the role of women in peace and security. Much work remains to be accomplished.”

Strengthening women’s participation in the OSCE region is one of the priorities under Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship.