WUNRN
The Arab Regional Network on WPS comes at a pivotal
time in the Arab region, when political transitions threaten to undermine
women’s peace and security and to exclude women from key national and
international dialogues where their perspectives, experiences and expertise are
essential in developing long-term stability and peace.
“Democracy
is not medicine we take and then the problem is over. It is an ongoing process.
It can never be imported from abroad, and it cannot occur if at the same time,
women are being isolated,” said Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, a veteran women’s
rights advocate and the Assistant Secretary General for Civil Society in the
League of Arab States, in a keynote speech to participants in Amman.
The
network aims to strengthen civil society to engage with conflict prevention and
decision making processes; foster an enabling environment at the regional level
to improve women’s leadership in these processes; ensure women’s human rights
are protected; and pool regional resources on women, peace, and security,
including technical support and capacity development tools.
“The
regional network will ensure civil society and governments work hand-in-hand to
abide by the UN resolutions on women, peace, and security. Above all, the
network will contribute to achieving peaceful and secure environments for
women,” said Fatima Outaleb, Director of the Union de l’Action Feminine shelter
for women victims of violence in
The
Arab Regional Network was launched as part of a four-day training, which was hosted by
Karama in partnership with the UN Women Fund for Gender Equality and the
“At a
time of elapsed peace, and a forgotten women’s agenda, Karama has provided the
building blocks of a well-grounded pioneer regional network to address women,
peace and security, as envisioned through the eyes of women,” said Ghida Anani,
Founder and Director of ABAAD, a non-profit aiming to promote equality,
protection and empowerment of marginalized groups in Lebanon.
Karama
will continue to support this groundbreaking network in implementing their
Regional Action Plan and accelerating progress toward women’s security,
equality and protection in the region.
For
more information, please contact Avni Shah at avni@el-karama.org.