Open Arria-Formula Meeting “Call to Lead by Example: Ensuring the Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation of Women in UN-led Peace Processes” Statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security

Statement by Canada as Chair of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security

8 March 2021

Madam / Mister President / Moderator,

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace, and Security, an informal network of 64 interested Member States^{Footnote 1} and the European Union, chaired by Canada, representing all five regional groups of the United Nations.

On this International Women’s Day, our Group thanks the co-sponsors of this Arria-Formula meeting and the briefers for convening this important meeting to highlight the importance of the full and effective implementation of the WPS agenda as it relates to the leadership and participation of women in UN-led peace and political processes.

The Group emphasizes that women’s participation in peace processes is not only desirable, it is essential to achieving sustainable peace. It is critical for women to have full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and security.

The UN must lead by example in this regard. The Group would therefore like to reiterate its call made last October “on the UN to aim towards making women’s full, equal and meaningful participation a requirement in all mediation teams, political transitions and the peace processes it leads or co-leads”. 

In closing, the Group recognizes that respect for women’s human rights and gender equality are critical and complementary in order to ensure women’s full participation. This includes participating without fear or risk of any form of violence or retaliation. These issues are key and need to be addressed concurrently to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes.

Thank you.