Political head says gender equality, youth aspirations key to sustainable peace

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 29th May. UN political and peacekeeping official Rosemary DiCarlo on Tuesday briefed the UNSC Ttold that gender equality and the aspirations of young people are crucial to ensure sustainable peace and security.

She was speaking at the Council’s open debate on the role of women and youth, highlighted the significant challenges and impacts faced by women.

“Women bear the brunt of the global rollback of human rights,” she stated.

She talked about her recent visit to Afghanistan, where women are systematically denied basic rights, including education and employment opportunities.

“Women I met in Kabul told me of their aspirations and dreams: the same education afforded to men, equal employment opportunities and freedom to choose their futures.  They look to the global community to support them in realizing their rights so that they can contribute to their country’s future,” she said.

Ms. DiCarlo pointed out that Afghanistan is not unique in that regard and that the commitments on gender equality “are being ignored, if not reversed, in many regions”.

She underscored the importance of the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which calls for dismantling patriarchal power structures and ensuring women’s equal access.

“Doing away with structural gender inequalities is a matter of equity and right,” she asserted.

“But it is also a powerful means to improve the chances of success of peace and political processes,” she added.

She emphasized that UN special political missions have strived to promote women’s rights and meaningful participation in peace processes.

Ms. DiCarlo highlighted the need for young people to shape their futures and participate safely in peace processes and electoral activities.

“They [young people] are not ‘adults in the making’,” she said.

“They are full human beings with hopes, aspirations, ideas and energy to contribute right now.”

She stressed that engaging youth in peace processes is a missed opportunity that governments should seize to rebuild trust in institutions and increase intergenerational solidarity.

Ms. DiCarlo noted that to support youth participation, UN is allocating resources from the Peacebuilding Fund to back National Action Plans for Youth, Peace and Security.

She stressed that regional efforts, such as the African Union’s framework and the Arab Regional Youth, Peace and Security strategy are also instrumental in catalyzing national actions.

Political chief also spotlighted environmental peacebuilding, where young women often play leading roles as Ms. DiCarlo called for recognizing and advancing the contributions of young environmental defenders, community leaders, and peacebuilders.

Ms. DiCarlo emphasized that transformative changes rely on national action involving all segments of society, supported by international efforts.

She urged that the Security Council can reinforce that woman with men are responsible to build peace and prosperity in their societies.

“Gender equality and realizing the aspirations of young people are essential for sustainable peace and security around the world,” she concluded.