The inclusion of women and youth in peacebuilding and peacemaking as well as their active political participation topped the agenda on 14 May in Kyiv at a discussion organized by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA).
The event – titled, “Voices of Ukrainian Women and Youth for sustainable Peace in Ukraine” - was held with the support of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, UN Women, UNDP and UNICEF.
It was made possible thanks to funding from DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal.
The event brought together some 80 participants, representing civil society organizations from Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Volyn and Zaporizhzhia regions, municipal governments, independent institutions and line ministries.
The opening session featured the participation of Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador of Japan in Ukraine, whose government provided generous support for the conduct of the event.
Kayoko Gotoh, Director of DPPA’s Europe and Central Asia Division , said:
“When efforts towards peace are inclusive, the results are more lasting.Because inclusive peace is fairer, more representative of needs of various stakeholders, including women and young people, so has a broader base of engagement and commitment.”.
Gotoh added that DPPA was fully committed to meaningfully including and responding to the needs of women and youth across its conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts.
“I am heartened to see that here in Ukraine, women and young people, in particular young women, have valuable skills, expertise and experiences that can help shape the future of Ukraine towards peace and prosperity,”she concluded.
Participants explored ways to contribute to sustainable peace in Ukraine, advancing the implementation of the UN agendas on women, youth, peace, and security, as well as the newly adopted Pact for the Future.
The meeting also allowed participants to network and consolidate existing partnerships as they continue to engage in in humanitarian and peacebuilding processes.