Governance, Peace and Security | UN Women – Asia-Pacific
Photo: UN Women/Fahad Kaizer
Featured events:
Regional Conference
Gen-Forum 2024: Young Leaders for Women, Peace and Security in Asia and the Pacific
Date: 21-23 May 2024
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand. more
Regional Conference
Promoting Peaceful and Inclusive Societies in Asia and the Pacific: Experiences in Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
Date: 9-10 August 2023
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand. more
Over the past 20 years, countries in Asia and the Pacific region have made substantial progress in furthering the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda. Twelve countries have developed WPS National Actions Plans, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted a Regional Plan of Action for WPS in 2022. However, critical gaps remain between the ambitions expressed by international commitments and the actual political will and financial support given to WPS efforts. This is partly because women continue to be excluded and under-represented in all aspects of decision-making in the region. Moreover, the nature of conflict and its drivers have shifted; the gender dimensions of non-traditional security risks, including climate change, cybersecurity, and violent extremism, pose new challenges that require innovative responses and solutions.
Women have furthermore struggled to participate and lead in governance and all levels of decision-making processes for decades. The Asia-Pacific region has some of the lowest rates of women’s representation in parliaments in the world, with 21.2 per cent in Asia and as low as 6.0 per cent in the Pacific Islands. Gender inequality in the region translates into weaknesses in existing governance systems, and may also contribute to a deepening trust crisis between people and the institutions that serve them, with many feeling left behind and no longer confident that the system is working for them. A significant rethinking of women’s leadership across all aspects of governance is key to advancing both gender equality and building more just, peaceful, and resilient societies.
Drawing on two decades of lessons learned and coalition building, UN Women is committed to continuing to build the evidence base on WPS and inclusive governance, particularly on emerging issues, and to leverage good practices to deliver change. Working as part of an integrated team of governance and peace and security experts, UN Women in Asia and the Pacific region will ensure strong linkages and integration among WPS goals, complementing efforts to promote inclusive governance, the rule of law and women’s access to justice.
In partnership with the Governments of Australia and the Republic of Korea, UN Women has launched a Regional Framework Towards Inclusive and Peaceful Societies, outlining strategies to tackle the most pressing governance and peace and security challenges across the Asia-Pacific region. The press release covering the launch of the framework can be found here.
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