On March 13, 2024, DPI hosted its annual Women’s Day event at the Embassy of Switzerland in Türkiye, in Ankara. The title of this year’s event was Women in Peacemaking: UNSC Resolution 1325 & Women’s Meaningful Participation in Conflict Resolution. For the event, DPI was joined by Antonia Potter Prentice, Director of Alliance, co-managing partner at Athena Consortium, and former technical advisor to the UN Secretary-General to the Yemen Peace Process, and Dr Esra Çuhadar, Associate Professor and member of the UN Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisors as keynote speakers.
Antonia Potter Prentice’s presentation delved into the historical significance and ongoing relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, emphasising its transformative vision to centre women’s experiences and agency in peace and security efforts. She highlighted achievements and persistent challenges in implementing the resolution, urging sustained efforts to address structural barriers and inequalities hindering women’s meaningful participation in peace processes. Meanwhile, Dr Çuhadar focused on the pervasive forms of resistance women encounter in peace processes, while also highlighting their resilient strategies to overcome these barriers and advance meaningful participation in conflict resolution efforts.
The insights and recommendations shared during both the presentations and the discussion underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive, well-funded, and gender-responsive approach to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The development and application of a National Action Plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325, in close consultation with civil society organisations and women’s groups, emerged as a critical priority for advancing the women, peace, and security agenda in Türkiye.
This event is part of a larger series of activities planned in the context of the project Supporting the Pro-Peace Agenda in Türkiye and the Region, supported by the Norwegian, Irish, and Swiss governments.