There is no (successful) conflict resolution and no lasting peace without the involvement of women.
Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - The Forum of Women Parliamentarians of the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly ensured that the two draft resolutions and one emergency item draft resolution proposed by the forum are gender-friendly.

Chairperson of the forum Irine Yusiana Roba Putri remarked that the women's forum's proposals were included in the draft resolution adopted by the Committee for International Peace and Security as well as the Committee for Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade.

"I am optimistic that our proposal would be adopted by the assembly," Putri remarked while delivering her report on chairing the 33rd session of the women's forum at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua, Bali Province, on Thursday.

The 144th IPU Assembly, held on March 20–24, 2022, will discuss two draft resolutions. The first one aims to solve conflicts and maintain lasting peace, while the second resolution concerns the importance of information and communication technology in supporting education amid the pandemic.

During the discussion of the drafts, conducted by the steering committees, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians strove to get the delegates to pay attention to the aspirations of women and vulnerable groups.

"The number of gender-based and sexual violence cases continue to increase during conflict, eviction, and displacement. We agree that the opinions of the victims must be accommodated and their rights must be fulfilled," the women's forum chair stated.

Putri remarked that the women's forum also drew attention to the unequal access to internet between women and men.

"Hence, we urge the parliaments to encourage the utilization of information and communication technology in the education sector as well as in empowering women and girls," she stated.

In addition, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians has suggested that women should be equally involved in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that is also discussed during the 144th IPU Assembly.

Indonesia’s proposal for the formation of a task force on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was accepted by the delegates to be included in the draft resolution prepared by a special committee on the conflict.

Regarding the proposal, Putri, concurrently member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), stated that the Forum of Women Parliamentarians urged that women should constitute 50 percent of the members of the task force.

"There is no (successful) conflict resolution and no lasting peace without the involvement of women," she emphasized.

Furthermore, after chairing the last session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians at the 144th IPU Assembly on Thursday, Putri noted that the forum’s proposals were in line with the spirit of Speaker of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, who also served as chair of the assembly, to build a culture of peace by involving women as the agents of peace.

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Translator: Genta Mawangi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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