Doha: The State of Qatar has renewed its unequivocal commitment to continue developing frameworks and tools to ensure meaningful participation of women in dialogue, negotiation and peace processes, stressing that ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes led by the United Nations is fundamental to the sustainability of peace, sustainable development and human rights.
This came in a statement made by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at UN Security Council’s virtual Arria-Formula meeting, called by the United States, which presides over the work of the Council for this month on ‘Leading by Example: Ensuring the Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation of Women in UN-led Peace Processes.’
Her Excellency said that the State of Qatar has a long track record in facilitating peace and mediation processes for the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts, adding that Qatar realizes the importance of women’s participation in conflict prevention, crisis management and reconstruction.
In this context, HE referred to the Afghan peace talks hosted by Doha; the talks facilitated by the State of Qatar witnessed the active participation of women, including 11 prominent women who were among the representatives of the government, civil society and the media at the Afghan peace conference held in Doha. In July 2019.
Her Excellency also pointed out to the participation of women in the intra-Afghan peace talks that were launched in Doha in September 2020, saying that this participation has contributed to protecting the rights of all Afghans, including women, as affirmed by Security Council Resolution 2513 (2020).’
Her Excellency drew attention to the State of Qatar’s hosting of the high-level conference on comprehensive peace processes, which was organized in coordination with the envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Youth. Hosting this conference reflects the commitment of the State of Qatar to enhance the participation of young women in peace processes, HE said.
HE hoped that the conference would represent a turning point for young women and the peace and security agenda by generating political commitments at the national level and promoting an environment conducive to comprehensive peace processes to become more sustainable.
She also referred to the participation of young women and women’s organizations in all stages of preparation, implementation and follow-up of the conference results.
Her Excellency stressed on the importance of including women in peace negotiations, which would broaden the range of topics discussed at the negotiating table, saying that more comprehensive processes would contribute to comprehensive agreements that better integrate and reflect the interests of the wider community.
Her Excellency praised the commitment of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, to fully integrate women into the peace process, as proved by his regular meetings with Syrian representatives and civil society organizations.
She also commended the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Martin Griffiths who is committed to focusing fully on the representation of Yemeni women in any formal talks and on the importance of a gender perspective.
At the end of her statement, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani affirmed the State of Qatar’s unequivocal commitment to continue developing frameworks and tools to ensure meaningful participation of women in dialogue, negotiation and peace processes.-QNA
