News
As the world marks the 15th anniversary of the unanimous adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the World Council of Churches (WCC) will participate in a Peace Forum 28 to 30 October in New York City to commemorate achievements related to the resolution and to strategize on strengthening and mobilizing women and men for even more effective implementation.
WCC is a co-organizer of the forum, which will bring together more than a dozen faith-based organizations, civil society groups and government officials.
“We will have an opportunity to deepen our discussion on more practical, intentional ways to address issues related to women, peace and security that are still present 15 years after the adoption of the resolution,” said Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, WCC representative to the UN and coordinator of the UN Ecumenical Office in New York. “Together, we will explore how the international community can better deliver on these commitments.”
The Peace Forum, held at the UN Church Center, will begin with an opening panel — titled “Men on the Stand” — and reception on 28 October, followed by workshops. A peace fair exhibition will continue 29-30 October.
The opening panel and reception, as well as workshops, will be co-hosted by the Global Network Women Peacebuilders, International Peace Bureau, United Methodist Women, WCC, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom PeaceWomen, National Council of Negro Women and Baha’i International Community.
Addressing emerging threats
On 13 October, the UNSC unanimously approved a Resolution 2242 which reaffirmed its commitment to UNSCR 1325.
UNSC 2242 acknowledges that current conflicts and violence in the world underscore, more than ever, the importance of UNSCR 1325.
UNSC 2242 states, in part: “Noting the changing global context of peace and security, in particular relating to rising violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, the increased numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons, the impacts of climate change and the global nature of health pandemics, and in this regard reiterating its intention to increase attention to women, peace and security as a cross-cutting subject in all relevant thematic areas of work on its agenda, including threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts…”
Reflecting this perspective, the Peace Forum is not just about commemorating a much-needed resolution but about addressing serious and emerging global threats to women’s peace and security, said Bueno de Faria.
“As we listen to the presenters, I expect that we will be able to identify key areas for achieving the implementation of UNSCR 1325, such as making women’s participation and leadership part of the core of peace and security efforts, as well as protecting the human rights of girls and women during and after conflict, especially in the context of emerging threats,” he said.
More information: Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2242 (2015)
