Regular dialogue with civil society on Geneva International Discussions continues
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UN Women continues to hold regular information-sharing meetings on the Geneva International Discussions (GID). The meetings are aimed at promoting the meaningful participation of women in the peace processes and addressing their needs and priorities.
On 26 April 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia with the support of UN Women organized a meeting - “Geneva International Discussions and Women, Peace and Security Agenda”, with civil society organizations (CSOs), including representatives of women’s CSOs.
The round-table meeting proceeded in two sessions. In the first, Mr. Lasha Darsalia, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of the Georgian Delegation to the GID, spoke about the GID dynamics and challenges. The second session was dedicated to the new initiatives for improving the integration of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the peace processes.
In her opening speech, Ms. Tea Akhvlediani, the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, underlined the importance of successful cooperation with the civil sector, IDP and conflict-affected women on the implementation of the WPS agenda. As it was announced, within the framework of a new Ministry initiative, a working group on WPS consisting of women’s CSOs has been established, where the members will have a regular exchange on policies related to reconciliation and peacebuilding, as well as plan the strategic directions. This initiative will enable structured and meaningful participation of IDP and conflict-affected women and increase their role in peacebuilding processes.
Ms. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, spoke about the necessity of women’s engagement in peacebuilding processes: “The WPS agenda must not be seen as an afterthought or an addition to other resolution efforts; it is an integral and central part to those efforts. If we do not recognize this fundamental fact, it will be very hard to make real progress towards those high ideals expressed in our speeches and foundational documents and resolutions.”
During the meeting, women’s CSO representatives discussed the challenges IDP, and conflict-affected women are facing. They proposed specific initiatives to the GID’s Georgian participants for promoting inclusive peace processes. Such initiatives will further enhance these women’s increased participation and role in peacebuilding processes and allow rapid response to their needs and interests.
The meeting was held within the framework of the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, generously funded by the UK Government, the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.