Making steps forwards for women’s inclusion in the Geneva peace talks
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With the support of UN Women and the US Department of State, regular meetings continue between the participants of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and civil society organizations.
These meetings aim at sharing information and mainstreaming women’s priorities and needs in the peace negotiations.
On 17 December 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality organized a meeting to discuss the main results of the 46th round of the GID with representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, civil society organizations and women’s rights activists.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Head of the Georgian Delegation to the GID, Lasha Darsalia, summarized the implementation of the peace process and the importance of engaging women in peace talks: “During the last GID meeting the establishment of a sub-group on Women, Peace and Security issues composed of GID participants was considered. This will be a big step forwards to ensure that the needs and priorities of IDP and conflict-affected women and their communities are heard.”
“With the support of UN Women, we conduct regular meetings to update representatives of civil society organizations and women’s rights activists on issues related to existing humanitarian and security situations in the villages adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Line. This is a very important information sharing format which engages all parties including women’s rights activists and CSOs to participate in the process.” – stated Zviad Zviadadze, the Head of Department of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Former Autonomous District of South Ossetia at the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.
The regular information-sharing meetings are held as part of the Government of Georgia’s commitments in the framework of the National Action Plan of Georgia for Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2020). The plan prioritizes the promotion of women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes.