The UN Security Council highlights the role of young women in peacebuilding

In her speech during a UN Security Council meeting on intergenerational women’s leadership in peace and security, Ms. DiCarlo referred to the work of young leaders. “brilliant” that “It reminds us that transformation requires resistance to the status quo.” They include Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for girls’ right to education – the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, who has created a movement to confront the climate crisis, and Somali’s Ilwad Elman, who works to rehabilitate child soldiers and empower other young people.

Ms. DiCarlo said that Secretary-General António Guterres’ policy brief on a “new agenda for peace” called for the dismantling of “entrenched patriarchal systems that perpetuate inequality and exclusion,” Adding that without doing so “Genuine peace and comprehensive security will remain elusive.”

Promoting the leadership of young women

To strengthen cross-generational leadership, the Under-Secretary-General highlighted three key areas, including facilitating dialogues, strengthening inclusive peace processes, and investing in the leadership of young women. She said that addressing today’s conflicts requires… “Widely shared visions of the future within communities that transcend generations.” She added that intergenerational dialogues constitute crucial opportunities to build trust and express common aspirations.

Ms. DiCarlo pointed out that peace cannot be achieved through… “Deals made by elites alone.” She said that promoting inclusive, multi-track peace processes that prioritize diverse groups of women, including young women, and promote their leadership and rights at every level is essential to locally owned infrastructure for peace.

She stressed the need to provide the necessary resources on a sustainable basis to support young women peacemakers “And to ensure the prosperity of their work.” She confirmed that investments are on the agenda Women, peace and security is not an option, “Rather, it is necessary to prevent conflicts and achieve sustainable and comprehensive peace.”

Ms. DiCarlo said: “In the face of unprecedented challenges to global peace and security, young women around the world envision and demand a world of justice and peace…Together, we must cultivate leadership from the bottom up, putting young women and women’s rights at the center of our efforts.”

Sudanese women are at the forefront

For her part, Tahani Abbas, Executive Director of Noura Organization, said that women were on the front lines in responding to the conflict in Sudan, adding that their contributions and sacrifices in the struggle for peace, “To preserve human dignity, and help every Sudanese build a peaceful future.” It must be recognized.

Ms. Abbas is a human rights defender who focuses on promoting women’s access and inclusion in the justice system and providing legal assistance and resources to women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Addressing the Council, she said that the Sudanese people are starving due to the ongoing war, as their villages are being bombed. They are burned and exposed “For assault and rape if they remain in their homes, or while fleeing, or while seeking refuge.”

Despite this situation, Mrs. Abbas stressed that women were at the forefront and carried their desire in Sudan “Healthy, safe and fair” Including by leading the peaceful revolution in 2019, as responsive to humanitarian needs and by finding ways to de-escalate conflict. She added that Sudanese women created… “Resistance networks” Such as emergency response rooms, which “Play an active role in empowering women and providing them with the ability to respond to conflict in creative and adaptive ways.”

She said supporting women peacemakers “Before, during and after crises pays dividends in peace.” She stressed the necessity of formally involving women’s civic expertise in dialogue processes that affect their fate, adding that without this type of participation at all levels of dialogue, “We will not see the lasting peace that the Sudanese people desire and deserve.”

Ms. Abbas called on the Security Council to continue supporting women who fight for peace and security every day, and said: “Although it may be logistically and politically difficult, the decisions made within the United Nations will have a direct impact on the lives of the Sudanese people and women peacebuilders around the world.”