Women’s inclusion in peace and security processes, as well as women’s leadership in conflict resolution and peacebuilding are essential prerequisite for long-lasting sustainable peace and stability.
As the world largest regional security organization, the OSCE is fully committed to support and actively promote the implementation of Women, Peace and Security agenda and women’s leadership in decision-makings at all levels. As a catalytic member of the UN Compact on WPS and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) the OSCE is also working closely with key international partners, including the UN, to promote women’s effective and meaningful inclusion. In line with these international commitments, in December 2021 the OSCE Secretary General launched the OSCE Networking Platform for Women’s Leaders, including Peacebuilders and Mediators. The Platform unites internationally renowned women leaders, prominent mediators and negotiators in Track 1 peace processes as well grassroots peacebuilders and conflict resolution experts active at Track 2 and Track 3 levels. Within the framework of the Networking platform, the OSCE launched several actions in support of women’s leadership in peace and security efforts. This included targeted initiative in support of the women of Ukraine, the Young Women for Peace Initiative focused on empowering young women peacebuilders from across the OSCE and the Women’s Peace Leadership Programme, a one-year mentorship for peacebuilders.
The Center for Dialogue and Progress – Geneva (CDP-G) is a Geneva based organization that brings local and global solutions together into addressing the pressing issues facing countries and societies in state of fragility and transition, through open and critical dialogue. While respecting and cherishing time-tested and cultural norms of different communities, CDP-G focuses on promoting best practice in inclusive, democratic and sustainable development and peacebuilding. On the first anniversary of the military take-over of Afghanistan by the Taliban, CDP-G organized two high-level webinars in which members of the negotiation team of the Republic, two former EU and US ambassadors in Afghanistan, members of the former Ministry of Peace of Afghanistan, UN advisors during the Doha peace negotiations and members of academia examined the reasons for failure of the Doha negotiations between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. On the second anniversary of the fall of the Republic, CDP-G analyzed the impact of the Doha negotiations on other conflicts around the world. CDP-G continues promotion of peace and national dialogue through its annual conferences in which civil society leaders, democratic forces and members of the academia come together.
Building on this experience, the OSCE and the Centre for Dialogue and Progress Geneva will organize a high-level event highlighting the critical role that networks play in empowering peacebuilders and support women’ leadership and agency in peace processes. The event will also offer the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges faced by women peacebuilders from conflict and post-conflict settings and identify concrete steps and recommendations for joint international actions towards greater inclusivity.
