"Fostering inclusion to build resilient societies"

25 October 2018 marks the 18^th anniversary of UNSC resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. UNSCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions and reviews have taken note that women, in addition to being greatly impacted by violent conflict, also play a vital role in the implementation of conflict and atrocity prevention measures. They note that, in fact, women are uniquely positioned to identify otherwise overlooked conflict drivers, and their inclusion leads to the formulation of more effective prevention mechanisms, with women’s meaningful participation in peace processes leading to an increased likelihood of establishing sustainable peace and more resilient societies.

Despite such significance, more work remains to be done in order to fully realize and effectively make use of the diverse ways in which women’s important contributions can be leveraged at all levels. This includes incorporating women’s equal participation in both long and short-term prevention and response measures, be it within their communities, or at national or international levels.

As such, FES New York, the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), working in partnership within the Prevention Up Front (PuF) Alliance, co-hosted a side event entitled “Fostering inclusion to build resilient societies: How women peacebuilders prevent conflicts and atrocities on the ground,” on 24 October, 2018 at the UN Church Center.

The panel featured:

• Ms. Kesia-Onam Birch (Ghana, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Women in Peacebuilding Network),
• Ms. Lucy Nusseibeh, (East Jerusalem, Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy, Chair of the Nonviolent Peaceforce),
• Ms. Khin Ohmar (Myanmar, Progressive Voice),
• Ms. Lina Zedriga (Uganda, National Committee for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and All forms of Discrimination)

The event was moderated by Ms. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls (Chairperson of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict), who led the discussion on practical examples of successes and challenges as well as opportunities for the increased inclusion of women in conflict and atrocity prevention.