ASEAN-IPR Discussion Series 2021 Session 5: "Cross Sectoral Initiatives to Advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in ASEAN"
ASEAN-IPR UPDATE
ASEAN-IPR DISCUSSION SERIES 2021 SESSION 5:
CROSS SECTORAL INITIATIVES TO ADVANCE THE WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY (WPS) AGENDA IN ASEAN
Thursday, 21 October 2021
ASEAN-IPR Zoom + YouTube Channel
The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) convened the fifth session of its Discussion Series 2021 on Thursday, 21 October 2021, taking on the theme "Cross Sectoral Initiatives to Advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in ASEAN". The Webinar brought together more than sixty (60) participants joining from both the ASEAN-IPR Webinar platform as well as its live streaming on YouTube Channel. Participants include those coming from ASEAN Member States (government institutions), ASEAN bodies/sectoral bodies/entities, ASEAN partners, scholars, friends and partner institutions of the ASEAN-IPR, as well as other stakeholders. The ASEAN-IPR Discussion Series 2021 is supported by the Embassies of Finland and Ireland in Jakarta.
For the fifth Session of the series, discussions aimed to explore the initiatives undertaken by different sectors within ASEAN to ensure the participation and involvement of women in peace processes, and to reflect on the implementation of the women, peace & security (WPS) agenda within the region thus far.
The discussion was moderated by H.E. Ms. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Representative of Indonesia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Three Speakers were invited to share their experience and expertise on the topic, namely: H.E. Mrs. Kheng Samvada, Permanent Secretary of State, Cambodia Ministry of Women's Affairs and the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) Focal Point for Cambodia, Dr. Gloria Jumamil Mercado, Member of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR) from the Philippines, and Ms. Lilianne Fan, Member of the Southeast Asian Network of Peace Negotiators and Mediators (SEANWPNM).
The Speakers exchanged views on the various undertakings of the ACW, AWPR, and SEANWPNM in advancing the WPS agenda in the Southeast Asia region, especially with reference to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on WPS and its four pillars – participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery. Although ASEAN has formulated the 2017 Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and Security in ASEAN as well as completed the ASEAN Regional Study on WPS. the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action (RPA) on WPS – which is currently being developed – remains essential to promote ASEAN Member States to adopt WPS agenda to their national policies and programs. Aside from developing the RPA, ACW, AWPR, and SEANWPNM have also been actively conducting capacity building initiatives, such as in the form of training and discussion. These activities allowed various actors in peace to share the best practices and lessons learned on the implementation of WPS, as well as identify the existing challenges that may hamper the process.
As we are entering the third decade since the establishment of UNSCR 1325 on WPS, ASEAN along with its bodies and partners shall continue to create more opportunities for the regional community to exchange knowledge and experiences on WPS. Moreover, researches on the best practices and challenges among Southeast Asian local communities, especially amidst the pandemic, that may affect the implementation process should be thoroughly addressed. Through these researches, recommendations to enhance regional and national mechanisms on WPS implementation can be made.
ASEAN-IPR is currently working with experts on gender and peacebuilding to develop training modules on gender-responsive framework in dealing with conflict within the region, in accordance with the four pillars of WPS. This Module Development is part of the Institute's roster of training. The aforementioned initiatives shall help in ensuring the sustainability and inclusivity of the implementation of the WPS agenda in the region.
The sixth session of the Discussion Series 2021 is scheduled to be held on 18 November 2021, in conjunction with the commemoration of ASEAN-IPR's ninth year anniversary. The next Session of the Discussion Series will highlight the topic of "Peace Processes beyond ASEAN: Sharing of Best Practices and Lessons Learned".
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