Women peace activists talk to UN representatives during the Open Day on Women, Peace and Security

The event brought together women’s civil society organizations and senior UN officials to discuss the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Georgia.

 “Open Days are an opportunity for the UN system to be better informed on how we can support women’s organizations more effectively in their efforts to prevent conflict, promote peace and advance gender equality. This is a space to bring UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security alive,” said Niels Scott, UN Resident Coordinator in his welcome speech.

Marina Pochkhua, a member of IDP Women’s Association “Consent”, summarized observations from the implementation of the 2016-2017 National Action Plan on UN SCR 1325 (NAP). The se have been jointly developed by several organizations representing interests of grassroots women, in particular those living in villages adjacent to control lines with Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions. She commended the government for taking the women, peace and security agenda seriously, but also pinpointed gaps and areas of concern including, but not limited to lack of budgetary commitments to the NAP and need for greater involvement of local governments in the implementation of the NAP commitments at the local levels. She called upon UN System to advocate for women’s legitimate needs to meaningfully participate in prevention of conflict, and decision-making as well as for creating more economic opportunities for conflict affected population, including youth.

“These recommendations are taken seriously by the UN system in Georgia. We have presented a joint account of UN support to women’s recommendations from 2015 Open Day, and we will do the same next year. However, our support is not limited to a once-a-year dialogue. Our work towards increasing women’s participation in decision-making, peace-building and (human) security is ongoing. Evidence shows that if women are involved, peace lasts longer and security for all increases. We cannot afford to left women’s contribution to stability and peace unrecognized and underutilized” reflected Erika Kvapilova, UN Women Representative.

UN Women in close cooperation with UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDP have been organizing Open Days in Georgia since 2014. Global tradition in organizing Open Days goes back to 2010, when in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 UN Department of Political Affairs, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UNDP and Unifem (now UN Women) launched a joint project to support regular consultations between senior leadership of United Nations missions and national and local women peace organizations and activists.