UN / WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ROLE

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said, “Doing away with structural gender inequalities is a matter of equity and right. But it is also a powerful means to improve the chances of success of peace and political processes.”

Addressing the ministerial debate on the subject “Maintenance of international peace and
security: the role of women and young people,” today (28 May), DiCarlo said, “Young people deserve the opportunity to shape their future. They are not ‘adults in the making’. They are full human beings with hopes, aspirations, ideas, and energy to contribute right now.”

The debate offered an opportunity to recentre and identify synergies between the women and peace and security agenda and the youth, peace, and security agenda, with an emphasis on young women, particularly as civic space for these crucial groups continues to contract in conflict-affected areas.

DiCarlo said, “There are no quick fixes to entrenched power politics, patriarchal attitudes, or unequal social structures. Transformative changes rely on national action, involving all segments of society.”

UN-Women Executive Director Sima Bahous reported, “Last year, nearly 300 human rights defenders were killed, 49 of whom were women. These are just the known cases, there are likely many more.”

She said, “What we must do is ensure that we are breaking down power structures and harmful norms that hinder young women and girls full and meaningful participation, and that diminish their voice and their crucial contribution as leaders in their own right. And, crucially, we must protect women and girls´ education, their autonomy, and their freedom to decide on all their choices in life.”

Also addressing the Council, Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, said, “Despite growing political momentum for the youth, peace, and security agenda this commitment has not resulted in greater investment to sustain youth-led peacebuilding and meaningful youth participation. To fully support their engagement in decision-making processes, additional resources and age-disaggregated data are essential.”

He also said, “More needs to be done to translate policies into tangible action, ensuring no one and not a young person is left behind. As violence of exclusion persists alongside discriminatory laws, and a rapidly shrinking civic space. Young people are facing a range of threats. Fueled by social media, especially digital threats are on the rise. These threats have increased the spread of hate speech, the spread of misinformation, and sexual harassment. Young women and girls, especially those with disabilities and from marginalized communities are at a heightened risk of violence.”

Simone Mbode Diouf, African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa stated, “Young women need to be economically and socially empowered to have the resources, capabilities, and confidence to be agents of change.”