Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations at Security Council Open Debate on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: The role of women and young people"
Madame President
I thank Mozambique for convening today’s open debate on this important subject . I also thank USG DiCarlo, Executive Director Bahous and ASG Paullier for their briefings, and Youth Peace Ambassador of the African Union, Ms. Diouf, for sharing her perspectives.
Guyana recognizes the important role of UN Women, the UN Youth Office and the Peacebuilding Commission in supporting women and youth participation in matters related to peace and security, and the efforts of the African Union.
Madame President
While Women, Peace and Security and the Youth, Peace and Security are seen as distinct agendas and are often addressed in silos, there are important overlaps which should be recognized. Indeed, I venture to say that the ultimate goal of peace and security will not be achieved without understanding and capitalizing on these synergies.
As we consider the role of young people in the maintenance of peace and security, we see that most peace and security interventions targeting “youth” prioritize young men, with minimal or no attention given to young women. Young women are instead categorized within the broader WPS agenda where there is often a misconception that women are a homogenous group. We are also aware that there is much more to be done in ensuring that women are integrally involved in decision-making in peace processes.
In this context, I offer some reflections.
Firstly, gender stereotypes in the wider world context are amplified in situations of armed conflict. Young men are regarded as prone to turning to violence and vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups and extremists, while young women are often portrayed as passive victims in need of protection with little acknowledgment that they too can and are being recruited, or that they can contribute to conflict resolution and peace processes.
While the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security was an important shift in the perspective of the role of young people, from victim or perpetrator of violence to positive agents of change, and capable of contributing to conflict prevention and resolution, we must ensure that no category of youth is left out. Young women must be part of this positive vision.
This leads me to my second point, which is the importance of meaningful inclusion of women and young people. Targeted action should be taken to ensure the full participation of women, young people, including young women, in all aspects of preventing and recovering from conflict and building peace. Their participation should not be limited to civil society but should also be mainstreamed into government structures.
This Council has seen many powerful examples of young women who are leading efforts within their communities to achieve sustainable peace. They have risked reprisals and come to share their assessments of the situations in their countries and communities. Indeed, the Security Council can lead by example by increasing opportunities for young persons from different regions to brief the Council.
Thirdly, critical to the Council’s prevention agenda must be addressing root causes and risk factors of conflict. Poverty, unemployment, internal displacement, lack of economic opportunities and desperation have driven millions of young people and children into the arms of extremist groups. These conditions are often exacerbated for women and girls who are also plagued by sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking and forced marriages.
As we address root causes, I wish to underscore the centrality of quality education, which among other things will build their capacity to be part of solutions. This is, however, a challenge when access to education is disrupted on account of conflict and attacks on schools. Increasing failure by parties to conflicts to adhere to the international humanitarian law protections for schools and other critical civilian infrastructure is risking a generation of young people in conflict affected areas being left behind.
Fourthly, in this digital age attention must be paid to social media spaces and how these impact young people. Youth dominated social media spaces are driving both positive and negative outcomes. Young people are facing new and increased challenges related to online hate speech, misinformation, racism, violence, bullying, unwanted sexual advances, as well as being recruited by extremist groups. It is essential that there is education on responsible online behaviour as well as robust frameworks to monitor misuse of digital spaces and pursue accountability by perpetrators.
Madame President
Fifth and final, the Council must continue integrating and strengthening the YPS and WPS agendas into mandate renewals of peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Women and young people must be at negotiating tables and integrally involved in implementing peace agreements. Adequate resourcing for their empowerment and participation should be built into mandates with strong monitoring mechanisms to measure implementation and efficiency.
In conclusion, Madame President, it must be emphasized that the meaningful participation of women and youth in peace processes, including at decision-making levels, can build trust and break cycles of violence, yielding sustainable outcomes. This Council must continue to promote their meaningful participation.
I thank you.
