Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine calls for greater inclusion and recognition of role of women in peace-building

On the occasion of the 16^th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, on 31 October 2016 in Kyiv, highlighted the importance of the engagement of women in bringing stabilization and normalization to Ukraine.

“Our monitors throughout the country see the commitment and effort of women in making their local communities better. They are drivers of numerous humanitarian and help projects; they are instrumental in obtaining assistance; they are vocal in their call for peace and stability; and, they are increasingly providing livelihoods for their families and communities,” he said.

“The involvement of both women and men in peace-building and post-conflict rehabilitation efforts is crucial,” Ambassador Apakan said. “Particularly at a time of great need and continuing crisis; we welcome the adoption of the National Action Plan for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for the period 2016-2020 by the Ukrainian authorities.”

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 stresses the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. It reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. The resolution also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence in situations of armed conflict.

Ukraine is the 28^th OSCE participating State to adopt a National Action Plan to implement the Resolution, and the OSCE provides support to participating States’ efforts to implement the Resolution.