A proposal has been made to invite experts from countries such as Ireland who have experience in women's participation in the peace process, to hear the ways they have used to achieve their goal and this process is on hold, said today the Greek Cypriot Co-Chair of the Technical Bicommunal Committee for Gender Equality, Soula Zavou, in a speech at an event organised at the EU House in Cyprus by the women's movement POGO entitled Peace is our business. The role of women in the peace process and conflict resolution
Referring to the action plan drawn up in the framework of the Commission's work on the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace talks, which was presented last April at a UN event in Cyprus, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades and the T/C leader Ersin Tatar, Ms. Zavou pointed out that although it was welcomed, it was not given due attention and presentation to the general public.
Despite our disappointment, we wanted to move forward in order to inform civil society and women's organisations, she said. She added that during the meetings of the two Co-Chairs of the Commission with UN officials, a suggestion was made, among others, to invite experts, from countries such as Ireland, for example, who have experience in women's participation in the peace process, so that we could hear the ways, the mechanisms used to achieve their goal. This process is on hold, Ms. Zavou said.
She stressed that we believe that to achieve sustainable peace we need the participation of civil society, women's rights organizations and human rights defenders.
She also said that on the issue of participation in the peace process we have failed. That is why our struggle must continue.
We lack neither the will, nor the fighting spirit, nor the goal. But we must realize that without the political will, the political framework, our path is difficult, there are many thorns. Therefore, we should strive to change mindsets first and foremost in our leaderships and subsequently in civil society so that our path is easier, smoother, because we know where and how to go, he said.
According to a statement, the event was addressed by POGO Secretary General Skye Koukoumas and Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou.
Speakers, apart from Ms. Zavou, were Stavri Kalopsidiotou, Dr. International Law and Member of the WIPO Executive Council and Josephine Antoniou, Commissioner for Gender Equality.
According to the announcement, Ms. Koukoumas referred to the experience of the women of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots during the period of the intercommunal riots and in 1974, who were victims of violence and rape by the Turkish army and by fascist groups from both communities.
Mr. Menelaou referred to the need for further involvement of women in the Cyprus settlement process. Ms. Kalopsidiotou, raised the international dimension of the issue of women's participation in peace processes. Ms. Antoniou presented the National Action Plan for the Implementation of Resolution 1325.
The event was moderated by journalist Soula Hadjikyriakou, with the participation of the Ambassador and Ambassadors and representatives of Embassies, as well as representatives of women's and NGOs.
Source: CNA
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