Phl welcomes UN resolution on women's role in peace process

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said Thursday the newly adopted United Nations Security Council resolution promoting the role of women in peace building will boost the government’s effort of involving Filipino women in domestic peace overtures.

The UNSC Resolution 2122, promulgated last week, recognizes the important role of women in peace initiatives aimed at resolving conflicts through negotiated settlements.

“The Philippine government welcomes and supports the adoption of Resolution 2122 which highlights the importance of the role of women in peace processes,” Deles said in an emailed statement.

The UNSC Resolution 2122 aims to strengthen the current UN framework on the participation of women in peace-building efforts and nation-building.

The resolution also acknowledges the unique contributions of women in conflict and post-conflict situations both on the ground and in formal peace negotiations.

“This resolution reaffirms the commitments our government had made to raise the status of women from victims to agents and builders of peace, as contained in our National Action Plan to implement UN Resolution 1325, which focuses on women, peace and security,” Deles said out.

Deles described the UNSC Resolution 2122 “a positive challenge for peace advocates in the country" and a morale booster for women involved in peace-building activities.

“The OPAPP will continue to work with all stakeholders from the government and civil society in making sure we live up to our commitments,” Deles said.

Deles said the OPAPP, in fact, led women peace advocates in the recent launching of the Philippine National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security.

Deles said the NAP is the government’s complementing commitment to the UNSC Resolutions 1325, 1820 and 1888, the three landmark international standards on women’s role in peace and security initiatives.  

UNSC Resolution 1325 specifically acknowledges women’s capacity to make decisions on women, peace and security issues, while UNSC Resolution 1820 recognizes sexual violence as a tactic of war and a possible war crime.

The UNSC Resolution 1888, on the other hand, aims to establish leadership, deploy expertise, and improve coordination among stakeholders involved in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.