Women key in preserving peace, security: Arab Women Org

CAIRO -9 October 2017: In cooperation with United Nations Women and the government of Japan, the Arab Women Organization opens its training course for women on security and peace in Egypt.

The Arab Women Organization (AWO), in collaboration with U.N. Women and the government of Japan, is inaugurating a training course on security and peace, entitled "Women's Participation in Security Arrangements and Political Interdependence in the Arab World". The course will be held in Cairo from October 9-12.

The training course’s opening ceremony began with a speech by Ambassador Mervat Al-Tallawy, director-general of the AWO, in which she stressed on the importance of women as key partners in maintaining stability and security, as well as development and nation-building, in the Arab world. She added that women are the mothers responsible for nurturing the future generations who will participate in the development of their nations without racism and disputes.

According to Al-Tallawy, the Security Council resolution is number 1325, which deals with the role of women in peace. The council made Iraq and Palestine, despite their harsh conditions, a program to activate all the points contained in the resolution. Al-Tallawy summoned all Arab countries to activate this decision and ensure that women participate in making crucial decisions concerning their peoples. “Women are a key partner in the security and stability of the Arab world, whereas war decisions are taken by men," argued Al-Tallawy.

AWO issued a press release stating that the course aims to increase women's knowledge of all possible means that women can use in peaceful negotiations. This is in addition to identifying the key factors that facilitate or hinder women's integration in negotiations. Moreover, the course, according to the press release, will work on enhancing skills and knowledge of advocacy, networking and negotiation techniques so as to better serve women's welfare, as well as the society.

According to a report issued by U.N. Women on peace and security, there is growing recognition of women's roles in peace and security, and it highlights an increasing number of innovative measures and good practices. Progress continues to be uneven, however. For example, the levels of women's participation in peace negotiations, preventative efforts and other key decision-making processes related to peace and security remain unacceptably low. Weaknesses in security, legal and justice institutions continue to present serious challenges to the safety and security of women and girls in many armed conflict and post-conflict settings.

Twelve Arab countries are participating in the training course. They are Jordan, Tunisia, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania and Yemen. These countries are participating in the course by female representatives from ministries of defense, interior, and foreign affairs, as well as the civil society.