On December 4-4, Yerevan hosts the International Conference “Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council: Women for Peace – Capacities and Challenges”.

The member of the Gender Equality Council, Guguli Magradze delivered the report and overviewed the outcomes of the studies evidencing expediency and benefit of engagement of women in peacekeeping processes.

“Women, deriving from their features and social experience, can raise more alternatives for conflict resolution and negotiations but their potential is not yet due realized. For instance, women’s participation in the international conflict resolution peacekeeping talks does not exceed 8-10% while the statistical data reveals that 80% of the conflict-affected persons are women”, - she noted and introduced the activities held by Georgian Government and the civil sector for implementation of the UN Resolution.

“It’s important that Georgia is the first country in the region developing the Resolution implementation action plan already in 2012. Currently, we hold the activities for 2018-2020. The Inter-Agency Council, set up in the Office of the Prime Minister coordinates implementation of the plan. The Plan envisages the issues necessary for the successful fulfillment of the Resolution. The Plan emphasizes the solution of the IDPs, conflict-affected women and women residing at the so-called administrative border. The special grant program applies to them to facilitate their employment. We hold system training for the state organizations and municipal personnel on fulfillment of the Resolution commitments”.

The attendees discussed protracted conflict impact on women entailing abject poverty of their families, violation of their rights and problems in healthcare, education and employment.

The participants emphasized the mechanisms to enhance participation of women in conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building.

The spouse of the Prime Minister of Armenia delivered the extended speech underlining the importance of women in peacekeeping processes.

The conference was attended by the Members of Armenian Parliament and Government, local NGOs and international organizations.