On the 18^th October the UN Security Council
adopted a new resolution which urges women’s full inclusion in peace talks and
transitional justice. This demonstrates a great determination to put women’s leadership
at the centre of conflict resolution and peace promotion. This is great news
for Soroptimist International who believe women should have equal inclusion in
all peace-making activities and the maintaining of that peace.

This new resolution puts responsibility on the Security
Council, the United Nations, regional organisations and Member States to remove barriers, and provide seats at the decision-making table for women. UN
Women Executive Director Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said “Women’s leadership is
central to reconciliation and conflict resolution and to peace-building efforts
that bring results for families and communities. That is why I welcome today’s
resolution on women’s peace leadership”.

Soroptimist International is committed to working towards
the achievement of sustainable peace and sees this resolution as a positive
step forward. For too long women have been excluded from decision-making both
at regional, national, and international levels. There is a consistent lack of
support for women as leaders and for women and girls as victims and survivors of global conflict. This new resolution addresses healthcare for survivors of sexual violence and realises that there should be an increased promotion in non-violent forms of conflict resolution.

Soroptimist International urges governments to pay attention
to this new resolution and take the practical steps necessary so that women are
free to show their dynamism and effectiveness in building sustainable peaceful
societies, something of which they have been prevented from doing so for too long.

Picture: UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka with Soroptimist UN Reps Paulette Forbes-Igharo and Lois Beilin.