Syrian women meet to support peace efforts
Date:
What:
UN Women together with the Government of the Netherlands will convene a two-day meeting (12-13 January) of Syrian women in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting is part of the UN’s longer-term efforts to support Syrian women and civil society’s contribution to peace efforts.
A press conference will be held at the end of the meeting, on 13 January.
When:
Press Conference: Monday 13 January, 3 p.m. CET (2 p.m. GMT), Room III, Palais des Nations, Geneva. Speakers will include UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Syrian women representing the participants. The speakers will address the outcomes of the meeting.
Watch the archived version of the live webcast:
Why:
The inclusion of women is essential to building sustainable peace in Syria. Taking into account the perspectives of half the population is a basic democratic right and essential for lasting consensus.
Syrian women have been organizing inside and outside of Syria since the early days of the conflict, playing an instrumental role in humanitarian assistance, human rights monitoring and providing emergency relief for vulnerable communities. They have repeatedly called on the international community to include their voices in peace efforts.
The UN has an important role to play as an impartial convener to bring together diverse women's groups and organizations to articulate their concerns and priorities, and to support women's participation in shaping the future of their countries.
Background:
Creating spaces to hear women’s voices and perspectives is consistent with the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012 and Security Council Resolutions 2122 and 1325. Such perspectives are an important element towards promoting efforts for a Syrian-led political solution in Syria.
On 4-5 November, 2013 in Amman, Jordan, UN Women brought together a diverse spectrum of Syrian women who, in spite of their different positions and political standing, called for a political solution to the conflict and an end to the suffering of the Syrian people as well as for the implementation of the various resolutions and decisions that support women's participation in peace and political processes.
UN Women has also been working with the UN Department of Political Affairs and the office of UN-Arab League Joint Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi to support women's meaningful engagement in the peace process, and to amplify their voices.
Note to media:
Non-UN accredited media who wish to attend should contact the United Nations Information Service in Geneva:
http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/%28httpContacts_Pages%29/2ED9505B81F39F9980256EF40064348F?OpenDocument&expand=1
Related links:
Press statement: Syrian Women’s Joint Statement on Engagement in the Syrian Political Process
Flickr set: https://www.flickr.com/photos/unwomen/sets/72157639721419024/
Audio clip of the Executive Director's speech: