In the lead-up to a recent global open day on Women, Peace and Security, UNIFIL’s gender unit held three preparatory meetings in Tyre, Bint Jbeil, and Marjayoun in south Lebanon to use the participation of women to further peace and security.

Women’s civil society organizations in south Lebanon – called the Gender Working Group – attended the meetings and provided suggestions on how to further strengthen Lebanon’s National Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. 

“That resolution calls for women’s complete participation in decision making in relation to conflict resolution and peace building,” said Dr. Afaf Omer, UNIFIL Gender Advisor at the wrap-up event in Tyre on April 27. 

The recommendations suggested by the women in the preparatory days were presented to UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force Commander Michael Beary at the public event. 

“We look forward to the choice of peace and safety in our society,” Hadiyeh Abdullah of the Tyre Women’s Affairs Association told the Force Commander.  “That is why we emphasize the need for women in all fields and aspects.”

After listening to the recommendations from all three districts, Major General Beary thanked the women for sharing their views on Lebanon’s National Action Plan for the implementation of 1325, noting its importance in helping to further peace and security.

Background:

The Global Open Days on Women, Peace and Security are organized in conflict-affected areas all over the world. These days are designed to enable direct dialogue between women’s peacebuilding organizations and women community leaders, and senior UN representation at the country level. The purpose is to seek women’s views on means of improving the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 in their areas.

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Article: Aoibheann O’Sullivan
Video camera: Mohamad Hamze & Aoibheann O’Sullivan
Video Edit: Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Suzane Badereddine & Mohamad Hamze
Translations: Hiba Monzer & Adib Al-Moussa
Video Music: Running Waters by Jason Shaw
Stills: Suzane Badereddine
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