3rd
International Conference on “Action with Women and Peace”
-
Discussing the Situation of Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Asia and Women’s
Roles in the Peace Process
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted
the 3rd International Conference on Action with Women and Peace on
November 25 in a hybrid format under the theme of “Strengthening Women’s Roles
and Leadership in Building and Sustaining Peace, with the Survivor-centered
Approach.”
° The Ministry has held the annual international conference since
2019, in accordance with its “Action with Women and Peace Initiative,” launched
in 2018 to contribute to the global efforts to eliminate conflict-related
sexual violence around the globe.
2. More than 20 participants from various
governments, international organizations and civil societies participated in
the conference, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong, UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Minister of State Lord Ahmad
of Wimbledon of the UK, Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security Jacqueline
O’Neill of Canada, Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and
Reconciliation I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, United Nations Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) Special Rapporteur on violence against women Reem Alsalem and UNHRC
Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and
guarantees of non-recurrence Fabian Salvioli. They discussed the situation of
conflict-related sexual violence in Asia and urgent need for women’s role and
leadership in the entire process of peace-building.
3. In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister
Chung underscored the survivor-centered approach in responding to conflict-related
sexual violence and expressed the Korean government’s commitment to continue to
make meaningful contributions to developing the women, peace and security
agenda.
° Foreign Minister Chung highlighted that the conference is a part of
Korea’s efforts to repay the international support from the past by
contributing to the advancement of global issues as a country that has grown to
become the 10th largest economy in the world and one of the most
democratic countries in the Asia Pacific region.
°
He expressed his concern over the situation of human rights of women and girls
in Asian countries including Myanmar and Afghanistan.
° In
particular, he explained that Korea safely brought Afghan “persons of merit” to
Korea, which was the first time that Korea received such a large number of
foreigners who were at risk due to conflict and humanitarian crisis.
° He also emphasized that the survivor-centered approach, as a
solution to conflict-related sexual violence, is the only way to heal the
wounds of the survivors and restore their honor and dignity.
° He emphasized the importance of ensuring the women’s participation
in the whole process of peacebuilding and reconciliation, in order to achieve sustainable
peace, recognizing that women make up the vast majority of conflict-related
sexual violence victims.
4. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Michelle Bachelet stated that peace negotiation and decision making processes
still lack women’s participation and reiterated that the decision in which
women’s perspectives and needs are not reflected is not sustainable.
°
In particular, she underlined the significance of the joint efforts to address
women’s rights in Afghanistan and Myanmar and expected that the conference will
serve as an important momentum to make contributions to these endeavors.
5. Voices of the future generation on
conflict-related sexual violence were shared through the screening of
award-winning video clips of the Global Youth Video Competition.
6. Also, in the Closing Session, the Action
Plan which encompasses the efforts of the government of the Republic of Korea in
the context of the “Action with Women and Peace Initiative” as well as its future
direction was presented. Moving forward, the government of the Republic of
Korea will fulfill its contributions towards the women, peace and security
agenda through concrete actions.
° The Action Plan includes prioritizing the survivor-centered
approach, hosting annual international conference on “Action with Women and
Peace,” responding to and preventing conflict-related sexual violence through
development cooperation projects, focusing on conflict-related sexual violence
in Asia and participating in the Women, Peace and Security Focal Point Network.
7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will
invigorate discussions of the global community on the issues of conflict-related
sexual violence, and further strengthen its contributions towards the women,
peace and security agenda through the “Action with Women and Peace Initiative.”