A member of the South African parliamentary delegation to the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) underway in Geneva, Ms Fikile Masiko, told delegates that women from diverse contexts continue to bear the disproportionate burden of armed conflict.
Contributing to the panel discussion on women peacebuilders advancing sustainable peace, Ms Masiko said that women’s personal, economic, civil and political security is persistently weakened. “Those who do participate face increasing security concerns, including the weaponisation of digital technologies.”
Ms Masiko called on all parliaments to help reverse this by advocating for laws that ensure gender parity in national dialogues and which foster women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes. She said gender equality should be an important pillar of peace and security efforts.
She also told delegates that South Africa has steadfastly supported the women, peace and security agenda since its inception. “On peacekeeping, South Africa continues to ensure the meaningful participation of women in peace support operations. In this regard, the South African National Defence Force comprises 20% of women in combat positions, enabling their deployment on the frontlines of armed conflicts,” she said.
In 2020, Ms Masiko told delegates, the South African government adopted the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, providing concrete steps to support conflict resolution through the meaningful involvement of women as peacemakers at local levels. “Our foreign affairs ministry provides training and capacity-building for women and youth to participate meaningfully in peace processes at continental and local levels,” she said.
Ms Masiko called on parliamentarians to ensure that women, peace and security national action plans are implemented. She also called on parliamentarians to support legislative measures to foster gender-inclusive peace processes, advocate for increased resources to facilitate women’s participation in peace and political processes and oversee the allocation of funds for gender-responsive peacebuilding.
“It is our collective responsibility is to reaffirm our commitment to the women, peace and security agenda and ensure that meaningful participation and gender-responsive peace processes are adequately supported and resourced,” she said.
By Nolizwi Magwagwa
26 March 2024
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