Mr. President,
Italy aligns itself with the statements delivered by the European Union and by the Group of Friends of Women Peace and Security, and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.
Italy thanks Brazil for convening the Annual Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. As we approach the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325/2000, it is imperative to step up our resolve to accelerate its effective implementation and we welcome the Presidency’s drive towards moving from theory to practice through tangible steps.
In light of the proliferation of situations of armed conflict and the disproportionate suffering of women and girls in conflict-affected situations, we acknowledge that the deep causes of violence, in particular gender-based violence and sexual violence in conflict, are deeply rooted in gender inequality and structural patterns of discrimination. The path to deconstructing such barriers and institutionalizing women’s full, equal and meaningful participation is a long and incremental one. In our view, this path actually starts when we are able to uphold the call for action, accountability and justice coming from the grassroot, the women-led organizations of the civil society and the women’s networks, and embed such call and practices in our individual and collective action.
Italy, as a long-standing supporter of gender equality and women’s empowerment, welcomes the emphasis put by the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, on the role of regional frameworks and organizations as ‘critical building blocks’ for ‘networked multilateralism’. In this spirit, we support the work of women peacebuilders and the networks of women mediators, which is a thriving and expanding reality. In 2017 we launched the Mediterranean Women Mediators’ Network as a component of our Third Plan of Action on WPS, to foster women’s inclusion in peace processes, mediation efforts and peacebuilding in the region. Throughout the years, the Network has been offering training, capacity building and networking opportunities to other regional networks and has led to the establishment of the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediators Network.
Building on this approach, Italy is promoting two side-events in the margins of today’s Annual Debate.
Yesterday, we inaugurated the project “Strengthening women’s meaningful participation and leadership for peace and security” aimed at facilitating cross-regional exchange of expertise in the occasion of a joint side-event organized with UN Women, the Mission of Tonga and the Pacific Women Mediators Network.
Tomorrow, we will promote a discussion on the Situation of Afghan Women and their absence in the Taliban-controlled political arena with a wide range of cross-regional partners, UN Women, civil society and academic organizations.
Mr. Chair,
Italy will continue to: a) promote gender mainstreaming also across the work of political and peace-building missions; b) encourage a constructive and cross-regional dialogue on the matter and c) ensure that adequate and sustainable resources be allocated to concrete solutions as those highlighted above.
Thank you.
