Virtual Event on “Women| Peace| Power: A Youth Perspective”

In 2000, the Government of Bangladesh played a pioneering role in adopting the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security. The resolution was the first to recognize the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls, acknowledged the contributions women and girls make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding and highlighted the importance of their equal and full participation, as active agents in peace and security. The landmark resolution was inspired by the March 2000 International Women’s Day statement of the Security Council by Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury as its President at that time. Over the years, Bangladesh has remained committed to this important agenda in all its international and multilateral efforts and is a top contributor of troops and police to UN Peacekeeping Operations worldwide.

In addition to contribution in UN Peacekeeping, Bangladesh has also successfully launched its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP WPS) last year, under the leadership of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) with the support of UN Women. This plan was crafted by listening to the voices, needs, and experiences of diverse women from all over Bangladesh, and it takes into account the last 20 years of hard work and lobbying by women’s organizations all over the country who demanded a seat at the table and a say in their own security. Women in Bangladesh have also been engaged at the forefront for promoting peace and social cohesion in their communities and responding to emergency and disaster situations including the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox’s Bazaar working alongside and in solidarity with Rohingya women first responders. Moreover, women and women-led organizations continue to be at the frontline and playing essential roles in responding to the disproportionate and gendered impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on women and girls, including gender-based violence, social stigma, hate speech and discrimination as a result of restrictions on movement, disruptions in service provision and jobs, as well as the virus’s quick spread.

On the 20th anniversary of the landmark women, peace and security resolution (UNSCR 1325), UN Women Bangladesh, Centre for Peace and Justice of Brac University, and Naripokkho is jointly organizing a virtual youth panel event to discuss the role of youth in the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This is a timely opportunity to acknowledge Bangladesh’s continued commitment to promoting the women in peace and security agenda, as well as engage a youth perspective on promoting peaceful, cohesive and inclusive societies. In addition, 2020 is a seminal year as it also marks the 25^th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as commemorated by the Generation Equality campaign, bringing forth intergenerational action – from youth to elderly – to realize the all-important agenda of gender equality.

Agenda:

Welcome remarks Moderator 

Mahmuda Sultana Shorna
Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University

Video on Digital Security of Women
Women Peace Café Initiative, “Empowered Women, Peaceful Communities” Programme

Message from Naripokkho

Shireen P. Huq
Member

Message from Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University

Dr. Samia Huq
Research Fellow

Message from UN in Bangladesh

Mia Seppo
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh

Moderated Panel Discussion

Maskatul Zinan,
Joint Secretary
Women Peace Café
Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University

Khadija Akter
Executive Committee Member
Women with Disability Development Foundation (WDDF)

Lucky
Rohingya Youth Leader

Smaranika Chakma
Society for Integrated Women’s Progress, and member of
Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network (BIWN)

Rima Sultana Rimu
Host Community Youth Activist from Cox’s Bazaar

Kazi Musfira Mukarrima Kabir, Member
Women Peace Café, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur