On 2 July, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) signed the (WPSHA Compact), an intergenerational, inclusive movement for action on women, peace and security and gender equality in humanitarian action.
A Board member of the Compact, DPO will be at the forefront to turn women, peace and security commitments into reality over the next five years and beyond.
Launched at the , the WPSHA Compact was collectively developed in a multi-stakeholder format, with inputs from Member States, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ entities, regional organizations, women¡¯s and youth networks, the private sector, academic and research institutions, and participants at the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico in March 2021.
At the Compact launch, DPO Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix that women¡¯s full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership in all stages of peace and political processes is a ¡°political imperative and a non-negotiable priority¡± for the Department.
Recognizing women as transformative leaders and equal partners in peace and security and expanding their political space is central to achieving sustainable peace outcomes.
¡°I have also made it my personal mission to champion the integration of gender equality and Women, Peace and Security priorities in all aspects of our work as a powerful tool for effective peacekeeping¡±, Mr. Lacroix stated.
In line with the and on Women Transforming Peace and Security, the Department is accelerating the implementation of WPS mandated tasks.
At the Compact¡¯s launch, Mr. Lacroix outlined game-changing actions that the Department will take. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Peacekeeping will invest in and support women peacebuilders, leaders, ex-combatants and women¡¯s organizations and networks to ensure they can shape peace negotiations, implement peace agreements, lead political transitions and influence security arrangements for a protective environment. Harnessing data and gender analysis for accountable decision-making, using good offices for political advocacy and building strong partnership are also crucial strategies to expand on, he added.
¡°We must make women¡¯s participation and leadership a norm. Only then can we transform political crises into sustainable peace¡±, Mr. Lacroix urged while encouraging all peacekeeping and peacebuilding partners to sign the WPSHA Compact.
