Sweden is committed to promoting women, security agenda — Minister
1 Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ann Lindesays Sweden is committed to advancing the women’s, peace and security agenda and demonstrating gender-sensitive leadership to the best of its ability.
2 Linde made this known on Wednesday in his remarks during a symposium jointly organized by International Peace Institute (IPI)The Government of Sweden and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
3 The hybrid symposium, with the theme: “Achieving Sustainable Peace and Security through Gender Responsive Leadership” focused on good practices, challenges and opportunities around gender responsive leadership.
4 It also focused on how leaders have incorporated the concept into their daily work to promote equal peace and security.
5 According to Linde, all leaders have a responsibility to be gender sensitive in their leadership.
6 She believed that this meant that those in senior or management positions should work for gender equality, both internally and in workplaces when carrying out the external work of their organisations.
7 “In my opinion, one of the main reasons why the implementation of the women’s peace and security agenda remains inconsistent and underfunded is the lack of leadership.
8 “This means leading by example, setting priorities and goals, communicating clearly and persuasively managing human resources and operations and holding yourself and others accountable for being gender responsive,” she said.
9 She added that in all situations of conflict and humanitarian crises, women and girls are among those who suffer the most.
10 This, she said, is why the women, peace and security agenda is important and more relevant than ever.
11 Yōko Kamikawa, Member, Japanesepp the House of Representativessaid it was more important for all leaders, women and men, to take action for gender equality.
12 “As leaders, we can change the organizations we are in to become more gender-perspective organizations.
13 “By leading by example, more women can aspire to be the next generation of leaders and what I have learned over 22 years of my political career is that whether it is in a global or domestic context, the most important thing is to listen to the people.
14 “When we try to reach multiple stakeholders, including grassroots women, even if it takes effort, the result will have a sustainable impact,” she said.
15 From her side, Ms. Kaavya AsokaCEO, NGOs The Working Group on Women, Peace and Security said women’s human rights are often undermined and disregarded in conflicts and crises around the world in favor of political considerations.
16 According to her, the biggest obstacle is to promote WPS the agenda is the lack of political will.
17 She noted that feminist leadership meant being outspoken advocates on issues affecting women, especially when there is a political cost to doing so.
18 “The goal should not just be to have processes, resources and institutions in place, but to have a meaningful impact on the lives of women girls and marginalized groups in place,” she said.
19 NewsSourceCredit: NAN