Deputy Secretary-General to speak on Women, peace and security at UN security council

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox.

Prior to his departure for New York, Mr Cox said: "It is important that women are given the opportunity to be involved in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security. There is a need to increase their role in decision-making in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in peace-building."

The Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the Secretary-General's good offices activity in peace-building and conflict resolution. He noted with concern that women and children are targets of violence in armed conflicts and victims of crimes against humanity. Mr Cox said the Commonwealth Secretariat is integrating gender issues in all peace and conflict management processes.

"For women to be able to influence decisions that affect their lives and those of their families, their political, social and economic empowerment must form part of the democratic ideal that contributes to sustainable peace and development. This underscores the need for women's participation in the frontline of democracy, peace and conflict processes."

Mr Cox said the Secretariat continues to support member countries' initiatives to promote women's participation and representation in peace-building and conflict management processes including post-conflict reconstruction.

The Secretariat has developed an integrated approach involving men, women and young persons in the promotion of peace and the resolution of conflict. In Sierra Leone, it organised a workshop on 'Women and Men in Partnership for Post-Conflict Reconstruction' to help rebuild peace and democracy in the country.

Mr Cox said the Secretariat has also been engaged in promoting education in conflict situations, citizenship education and education on HIV/AIDS. 

"We must strive to resolve conflicts through education and dialogue, and provide women with space for their voices to be heard and their contributions to nation-building acknowledged.

"The challenge for us all is to strengthen our support of partnerships with member countries of the Commonwealth and communities to curb and/or resolve conflicts globally to prevent the loss of lives and livelihoods. Reconciliation and resolution of conflicts are better than reconstruction and rehabilitation, just as peace-making is more effective than peace-keeping."