Soroptimist
International UN Representative Bette Levy attended a meeting on Women, Peace
and Security, as a critical component of the post-2015 development agenda.  Meetings like this one provide a valuable opportunity to Soroptimist International to provide information on best practice to help better the lives of women and girls. At
this event, countries like Chile requested advice and recommendations to
increase women’s participation in peace building, as they recognise women’s
vital roles in their communities.

Bette was
able to ask a question to Amina J Mohammed, who was the main speaker at the
event. She asked her question as an SI Rep and as a member of the Women’s Major
Group.

“There is a
big issue for Civil Society. We are the stakeholders, and during the Open
Working Groups, the Major Groups were able to play a significant role. Will
this continue?” asked Bette, “We have a lot of access and experience on the ground,
but if we are not included in the process [of the post-2015 development agenda]
then it cannot be as effective.”

 

You can
watch the event through this UN webcast: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/. Bette’s question is asked 37 minutes
into the programme.

Civil
Society Organisations, like Soroptimist International are seen as key agents to
empower communities, and to break down the barriers between individuals and
governments to best promote development agendas. At this event the close relationship between the Beijing Platform for Action, and the post-2015 development agenda was highlighted. This connection is something known by all SI UN Reps, as they continue their dedicated advocacy work across 6 UN Centres. 

 

Amina J Mohammed
is the special advisor of the UN Secretary-General on post-2015 development
planning. Previously, she worked extensively on the Millennium Development
Goals, and in Gender and Education for the UN Millennium Project. Ms Mohammed
expressed concerns about how the international community can tackle accountability
issues in implementing the post-2015 development agenda, especially as it is
not a legally binding agenda.

Accountability,
implementation and review processes have been central to Soroptimist International’s
position on the post-2015 development agenda. As Soroptimists know,
aspirational words are good, but mean the most when decisive action is taken.
You can read SI’s Post-2015 Agenda Key Asks here.

Soroptimist International continues to play a role in the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda, contributing to committees and working groups, presenting statements to governments, and advocating on behalf of women and girls.