Let me start by thanking the United States and Romania, our co-chairs together with troika members, South Africa and Switzerland, and our secretariat the UN Women for organizing this high-level Side Event, themed “Advancing the Sustainability and Adaptability of the WPS Agenda” this is important to help us address the backsliding we are experiencing on women’s rights.
As time is short, allow me to point out few conflict prevention actions, that Network members can take to advance peace and security through an inclusive approachh. First, I think it is very important that we enhance actions around addressing the deficiencies in governance and service delivery. including holding authorities into account. This is why in Africa, for instance, we have developed an accountability tool to keep our governments into account on the commitments they have made on WPS. So, I belief, if gender responsive monitoring is embedded in all sectors of government, them we might contribute to ensuring good governance and service delivery, (which is one of the main root causes of conflict) can be improved. Secondly is the importance of strengthening the early warning and response mechanisms and ensuring they are gender responsive, to allow for early detection and timely response. And finally, it is necessary and urgent we enhance actions focused on increasing women’s leadership in governance, peace and security systems and structures. This is in line with research findings that that ggovernmental systems that allow for full and equitable participation of all social groups in public life, especially women, are more peaceful. This is why we in Africa are building the AWLN, as vehicle to enhance women’s leadership in all spheres of life. Thank you for your attention!