‘Paz’ is a woman’s name

In Spain, as in the Philippines, “Paz” (Peace) is a name given to women; very fittingly so as women’s leadership is essential in preventing conflict and securing peace. This is both a principle and a line of action that Spain upholds both in its foreign policy and through its cooperation all over the world, as well as in the Philippines. 

Women should not be viewed only as victims of conflicts but, even more so, as agents for peace. Spain shares the vision that women play a crucial role in bolstering conflict prevention. In the short term, women can lead efforts aimed at pre-emptive dialogue and act as early warning systems. In the long term, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the causes and solutions to a conflict, as well as promote actions aimed at solving it.

Last April 26 and 27, Spain hosted in Alicante the first meeting of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network. The Philippines was represented by OPAPP Executive Director, Undersecretary Diosita Andot, in her capacity as national Focal Point.

Usec Andot joined in the Opening Plenary roundtable: Nigeria’s Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Namibia’s Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Women and host, Spain’s Undersecretary for Foreign Policy. The meeting brought together representatives of 60 countries, of several international and regional organizations – including the UN, the EU, the Arab League, the African Union, OSCE, and NATO – and of civil society.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Focal Points Network was one of Spain’s commitments in relation to the WPS agenda on the occasion of the high-level review of the implementation of  UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security in October 2015. At the time, in line with placing gender equality as was one of the main axes of action of its temporary membership of the UN Security Council (2015 – 2016), and while acting as rotating presidency of the UNSC, Spain fostered concrete action to promote WPS which resulted in the approval of UNSC Resolution 2242 aimed at improving the implementation of this landmark text on the WPS agenda.

In addition to, among others, calling for more robust research on the nexus of women, gender, and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), Resolution 2242 “urged member states and the UN system to ‘ensure the participation and leadership of women and women’s organizations in developing strategies to counter terrorism and violent extremism, encourage the meaningful participation of civil society organizations at international and regional peace and security meetings, and called for increased financing for projects related to P/CVE and counterterrorism that address a gender dimension, including  women’s empowerment.”

Thus, the creation of the Focal Points Network stems from the recognition that Member States and regional organizations remain the most influential actors in implementing the WPS agenda, as underlined in the global study for the implementation of resolution 1325. The Network seeks to strengthen concrete implementation by assisting Member States and regional organizations through the exchange of best practices, as well as by improving the coordination of funding and assistance programs. At the meeting in Alicante particular attention was given to how national plans address structural barriers to gender equality, participation of civil society and, the relation between the WPS agenda and the prevention and fight against violent extremism. 

In the Philippines, all projects implemented by Spain’s cooperation have a WPS focus. On a bilateral level, and precisely through the OPAPP, AECID is carrying out two relevant projects to concretize Spain’s commitment to support the Philippine Government’s strategy for Mindanao’s peace and development.  Spain has also manifested its readiness to continue its contribution to international efforts to support this strategy.

As Spain’s Undersecretary for Foreign Policy stated in his opening speech in Alicante, “the more inclusive any peace process and the ensuing agreement are, the greater are the chances to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace.” Women’s leadership is essential in preventing conflict and securing peace; no doubt, Peace has the face of a woman.

(Luis Calvo is the Ambassador of Spain.)