Implement women, peace and security agenda

GBNEWS24DESK//

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury yesterday called for an integrated approach to implement and accelerate the localisation of the National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

She also said there must be a budget for the focal ministries to promote the action plan as grassroots women are unaware of it.

This action plan can play a vital role in preventing violence against women, combating the adverse effects of climate change and disasters on women, addressing the post-Covid mental and financial challenges of women, and protecting women’s peace and security as a whole, she said.

She made the comments at an event, titled, “Orientation on National Action Plan on Women, Peace, Security for members of parliament to accelerate localisation of WPS agendas”, organised by Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha (BNPS), and supported by UN Women.

It was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital.

In 2000, the government played a pioneering role in adopting the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security (WPS).

The action plan was launched by the government in November 2019, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with 11 other ministries and civil society organisations.

“These key issues need to be addressed in the implementation process of the national action plan. The programmes included in the action plan need to be constituted to the annual plans of the ministries concerned, there must be a proper budget allocation for this,” said BNPS Executive Director Rokeya Kabir.

Apart from this process, the parliamentarians must play an effective role as policymakers to implement the plan.

While presenting the national action plan, gender expert Sheepa Hafiza said, “Women, Peace and Security is not only a matter of women’s peace or women’s security. Rather, it will ensure peace and security for all people of society as a whole.”

Toufiq Islam Shatil NDC, director-general (UN Wing), foreign ministry, said although the plan was adopted on November 24, 2019, unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it could not be implemented within the time frame. The duration has been extended for another 3 years till 2025.

“The women of Bangladesh have been playing their role efficiently in various national and international arenas. However, it is important to make women at all levels of society aware of their skills and abilities. I hope that the lawmakers will play a role in increasing awareness among women and empowering them in their respective work areas,” he said.

Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Brewer said women and girls become the worst victims of violence during war or any crisis.