Antara
Jakarta (ANTARA) - In order to improve the role and participation of women in the peace process, including conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict development, Indonesia will organize a regional training on Women, Peace and Security in Jakarta from April 8-10, 2019.
The training for female diplomats from ASEAN countries, plus Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, will be organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the ASEAN Institute of Peace and Reconciliation.



"So far, we have seen that the role of women in various peace processes is not optimal; there is still scope for improvement," said Adhyanti S. Wirajuda, Head of Sub Directorate of ASEAN Political Security Cooperation, at the press briefing in Jakarta on Friday.

Research released by UN Women shows that women's participation can increase the likelihood of a peace agreement lasting at least 20 percent, with a 35 percent probability for a 15-year peace agreement.

However, the same research shows that between 1990 and 2017, only two percent of women acted as mediators, eight percent as negotiators, and five percent as witnesses and signatories across various peace processes.

Being an issue close to the heart of Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, recently, the minister had highlighted the power of women as agents of peace and tolerance while speaking at a World Assembly for Women Meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

"It might also be due to Indonesia's experience in the past four years as an effort to help resolve various problems and conflicts, both in the region and outside," said Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir.

The Regional Training on Women, Peace and Security program, which will be opened by Marsudi, is also in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Joint Statement of the ASEAN foreign ministers in promoting the role of women in peace and security.

"At present, we are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council; so, of course our activities will support the steps taken by the DK so far," said Nasir.



Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Suharto
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