Women, who make up half of the population, should be actively involved in any changes and solutions that shape and affect their society, including conflict prevention and resolution, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, today on the ocassion of International Women's Day.

"Our experience with conflict resolution in the Western Balkans has demonstrated that it is of crucial importance to allow for women's full and equal participation in peace and security matters," he said. "The inclusion of women increases the likelihood of achieving sustainable peace."

Unfortunately, women are often not seen as stakeholders in peace processes, even though they are affected by conflict as well as men, he added.

"We need to move beyond seeing women as passive civilians or mere victims and recognize the crucial role of women in rebuilding societies and promoting peace."

Dačić said he fully supports the OSCE's vital work in assisting participating States to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security through the creation of National Action Plans.

"Women can and must play a role as decision makers in all phases of conflict resolution, from prevention to crisis management to peace talks to post-conflict reconciliation. The fifteenth anniversary of the adoption UN Security Council Resolution 1325 is a reminder of the need for even more concerted efforts to give women a voice in peace-building efforts. Through the adoption of an OSCE-wide Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, our Organization could substantially contribute to UN aspirations of implementing this important Resolution globally," he said.

"Equal rights for women and men and the protection of all human rights are essential to sustainable peace and security."


Photo by:OSCE/Micky Kroell