United Nations Security Council Open Arria Formula meeting

“Strengthening an integrated approach to peace and security in the Sahel through a gendered lens: Launch of the Group of Friends of Women of the Sahel”

INDIA STATEMENT

By

Ms. Vidisha Maitra

First Secretary

2 June 2021

Mr. President,

At the very outset, I would like to thank Niger for organizing this meeting and all the briefers for sharing their valuable insights.

2. Let me begin by welcoming the launch of the Group of Friends of Women of the Sahel. We hope that this initiative will provide the much needed impetus in developing strategies pertinent to the region by bringing in the valuable perspective of women of the Sahel.

3. It is now well documented that meaningful participation of women in decision-making substantially strengthens prevention efforts, deepens the effectiveness of peacebuilding and develops stability in the society. The adoption of UNSC resolution 1325 was a landmark step that for the first time linked gender equality and the maintenance of international peace and security and recognized women’s participation as key to resolving conflict and securing peace.

4. Over these years, we have seen strengthening of the normative framework of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. The enhancement of women’s involvement in decisions related to conflict prevention and post conflict reconstruction activities requires commitment to devise a legislative framework and undertake institution building at the ground level. We need to build the edifice of women’s empowerment from the grassroots.

5. India has always called for advancing the democratic framework and the rule of law and, equally importantly, institution building, in post-conflict situations to address meaningfully and institutionally the inequalities faced by women and to ensure their full participation in development. When provided the opportunity and enabling environment to mobilize themselves as well as access to credit and finance, women have been at the forefront of consolidation of peace and security. We also need to adequately use technology to bring women into the mainstream of society.

6. India is moving from women’s development to women-led development. The Constitution of India ensures participation of women in Local government by mandating not less than 33% reservation of total seats for women. Today, in India, more than 1.3 million elected women representatives lead in formulation and implementation of public policies at the grassroots level. Our women-centric services and technology have become particularly crucial in this challenging time of the pandemic.

7. The Sahel region has witnessed positive trends in recent years, in realizing the potential of full and effective involvement of women in nation building processes. There has been notable progress in women’s participation and representation in political and peace processes in several countries. We have witnessed an increase in women’s participation in policy, decision and law-making bodies and in appointments to key State positions throughout the region.

8. We commend the efforts undertaken to advance women’s participation in political processes and welcome the active leadership of women in electoral processes in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Niger. The appointment of H.E. Ms. Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, as the first female Prime Minister of Togo and the enhanced proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia are admirable steps towards gender inclusiveness in the political process. Senegal, with its 43 percent representation of women in Parliament is setting the standards in Sahel.

9. Adequate financing is imperative to ensure full and effective implementation of the WPS agenda on the ground. Countries that have developed national action plans on WPS must ensure budgetary allocations in line with their action plans. Attention should be paid to access to credit and finance by women and women’s groups in respective national action plans.

10. Terrorism and violent extremism continue to be the biggest global threat to peace and security. This holds true for the Sahel and is now also spilling over into other parts of Africa. Violence against women and girls perpetrated by terrorists remains rampant. Subjugation of women in public and in private continues across situations that are on the agenda of the Council.

11. It is important that the Council strives to effectively integrate WPS considerations into sanctions regimes, including by listing terrorist entities involved in violence against women in armed conflicts.

12. Mr. President, the strong and deep solidarity between India and Africa reflects the bonding of the Global South.  India’s developmental partnership in Africa is primarily meant to improve the lives of people and contribute to human resource development without imposing any conditionalities.  India has implemented several women centric projects, across the Sahel. We have also trained hundreds of women in vocational skills. The most popular project has been the “Solar Mamas” in Sahel and beyond, where women have been trained to set up solar units and projects in their respective villages, thereby empowering them as well. India remains committed to contribute further to the normative and practical aspects of the Women Peace and Security agenda.

I Thank you, Mr. President.

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