Who are the Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (NGOWG)?
Essentially, they are a group that makes the voice of women louder at the United Nations. The NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security advocates for the equal and full participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security. It serves as a bridge between women’s human rights defenders working in conflict-affected situations and policy-makers at U.N. Headquarters.
Whats the open letter about?
This year, the key message of the open letter is for all Member States, the UN and international leaders to commit their full political support to making women’s direct and formal participation a requirement in all UN-supported peace processes and to take all possible steps to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and security.
The key recommendations include:
- Prioritizing, resourcing and actively supporting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in all their diversity in all aspects of peace and security, including conflict prevention efforts, peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements.
- Grounding all peace and security policymaking, strategies and programs in international human rights and humanitarian law, including by guaranteeing the full scope of all women’s human rights in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings.
- Preventing threats and violence against diverse women leaders, human rights defenders and peacebuilders, which can deter their future participation in peace and security processes, including by elevating their work and their role in promoting peace and human rights.
- Holding all actors, including the UN and other relevant regional organizations, accountable for ensuring the direct participation of diverse women in all peace and political processes, from design to monitoring and implementation.
Why have we signed on?
Jo Cox was a life-long humanitarian and worked tirelessly to inspire women and increase women’s participation. She was a staunch advocate of ethical foreign policy and was committed to the protection of civilians in conflict. At the Jo Cox Foundation we work to continue Jo’s legacy and support campaigns in Jo’s honour.
