Arab League hosts ministerial meeting on role of women in post-conflict communities

CAIRO, Nov 19 (MENA) - Arab League General Secretariat, in cooperation with the European Union and the UN Development Program (UNDP), will organize on Wednesday a high-level ministerial meeting on means of enhancing the role of women in post-conflict communities in the Arab region.

In a statement released by the Arab League on Tuesday, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League for Social Affairs Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazala underlined the importance of the two-day meeting to achieve a more involvement of women in post-conflict communities.

Participants will share the lessons learned from different countries when it comes to planning for post-conflict reconstruction while taking into consideration gender equality, she said.

The European union is funding the joint project “Strengthening the capability in the Arab League Secretariat and its Member States to provide early warning and effective responses to impending regional crises, conflicts, and post-conflict situations, “under which this conference is organized, she pointed out.

Secretary General of the pan-Arab body will open the conference together with representatives from the UNDP and the European Union ambassador to Egypt. Ministers from the Arab region, policymakers, decision-makers, and representatives from civil society from the league member states including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen will participate in the conference. Academics and researchers will also attend to share knowledge and best cross-regional practices related to post-conflict situations from the region and beyond.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) was the first global document to develop a link between gender, sustainable peace and security maintenance. In this context, the conference aims to discuss the current trends for women’s participation in social, economic, and political aspects at the regional level and to explore the ways that can enhance the ability of women in the Arab region to engage effectively in peace processes. In addition, the conference will encourage participants to share experiences and perspectives from different countries and suggest recommendations to promote the role of women in post-conflict countries.