The United States has called for a greater focus on women’s rights and gender equality during the transition phases of UN peacekeeping missions.
In a speech delivered at the UN Security Council, US Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council, Lisa Carty, emphasized the need for deliberate planning and resource allocation to address the specific needs of women and girls in these volatile periods.
Ambassador Carty called for prioritizing civil society engagement, specifically local women-led and survivor-led groups, in transition planning by both the UN and host governments.
“Civil society actors should be our first partners when seeking to execute essential Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) activities as missions draw down,” she stated, underscoring the importance of incorporating their views into the transition process.
In her address, Carty also stressed the need to assess the impact of climate change on security situations using a gender lens. She advocated for the inclusion of climate advisors in missions to help mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly women and girls.
“Thoughtful planning and partnership with climate advisors and local organizations can support local ownership and peacebuilding efforts during pivotal moments like mission drawdowns,” she noted.
The Ambassador further emphasized the necessity of preventing gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), as missions transition.
She highlighted the United States’ commitment as a top donor to the UN Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, advocating for the continuation of monitoring mechanisms designed to address the specific needs of women and girls.
“These are moral obligations that we must realize together in critical transition settings,” Carty concluded, urging the international community to actively engage and support women and girls in these challenging environments.
The briefing, which featured insights from key figures such as Executive Director Bahous and Assistant Secretary-General Pobee, addressed the ongoing situation in Sudan and other conflict regions where mission transitions are imminent.
