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.
The event brought together women from various political and professional backgrounds to discuss the role and position of women in democratisation and conflict resolution processes in Türkiye and aimed to foster unity and cooperation that goes beyond political barriers, with a specific focus on UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and to strengthen the political and civil participation of women in Türkiye.
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.
This event was 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.