COVID-19 and Conflict: Advancing Women’s Meaningful Participation in Ceasefires and Peace Processes
Source: UN Women
This brief addresses the importance of women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation to an effective pandemic response and to peacemaking efforts, and how the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda can provide a critical framework for inclusive decision-making and sustainable solutions. While efforts to flatten the pandemic’s curve unfold around the globe, violent conflict remains a deadly reality for far too many people.
In March 2020, the UN Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire to allow the world to address COVID-19. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, women have been at the forefront of effective COVID-19 prevention and response efforts—from frontline service delivery to the highest levels of decision-making. With women’s participation central to achieving sustainable solutions, the pandemic has brought into sharp relief how critical the WPS agenda is to inclusive and effective decision-making.
This brief recognizes the vital role of women’s civil society organizations in mobilizing support for an urgent cessation of hostilities, inclusive ceasefire processes, and comprehensive peace talks. It also provides a preliminary analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on women’s participation in ceasefires and peace processes and offers a series of recommendations, including on “building back better”.
Read the brief here.
Namibia: Virus Threatens to Wipe Out Gender Equality Gains
Source: allAfrica / Albertina Nakale
Pan Africa Women’s Organisation (PAWO) President Eunice Iipinge says the Covid-19 pandemic has the potential to derail the gains towards women empowerment.
While celebrating African women last week, Iipinge said the unprecedented global pandemic is threatening to wipe out progress on some of the gains made in promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
“Unity is our strength and diversity is our power. Therefore, let us use our united collective efforts to fight against racism and Covid-19, which have potential to derail our gains towards women empowerment,” Iipinge maintained.
The PAWO event took place within the context of the global celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1 325.
The celebrations also coincided with the end of the first African Women’s Decade (AWD) 2010-2020 on “Grassroots Approaches to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment”, as well as the adoption of the new African Women’s Decade 2020-2030.
Read more here.
Ethiopia: “There Is No More Effective Tool for Development Than Empowering Women,” Eyerusalem Damte
Source: allAfrica / Betelhem Bedlu
Eyerusalem Damte was born in Harari State and raised in Addis Ababa. She has been serving in the Education sector for more than a decade in teaching as well as a school Principal.
She has received her first degree in Foreign Languages and Literature and she has almost completed her second degree in Gender Studies from Addis Ababa University.
During her stay at various government institutions, Eyerusalem has been an active participant in gender based issues and has played significant role. Currently, she is serving as the Director of Women, Children and Youth Directorate within the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with the Director to go through the major activities carried out to support gender based associations and her role in the institution. Enjoy your reading.
Read the interview here.
