Nordic Council delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women: “Women must be included in peace negotiations”

Together with representatives from other Nordic parliaments, the Nordic Council delegation advocated for a joint statement on women, peace, and security at this year’s UN Women’s Summit in New York from 10 to 21 March.

“Women are still catastrophically underrepresented in peace negotiations, which weakens both their security and the legitimacy of peace processes,” said Eva Lindh, chair of the Nordic Council Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region. 

The delegation is demanding that action be stepped up with regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security – adopted more than 20 years ago – to safeguard women’s rights in conflict zones.

The delegation also highlighted how gender-based violence and the situation of women in war remain among the most serious global human rights challenges.

“Sexual violence against women and children is still used as a weapon to oppress and harm civilian populations in war. This is another reason why women must be included in peace efforts and reconstruction,” stressed Eva Biaudet, who was also part of the delegation from the Nordic Council Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region.

This year’s Commission on the Status of Women took place at a time when women’s rights have been eroded in several countries. Eva Lindh and Eva Biaudet were keen to demonstrate that the Nordic Region stands united as a strong voice against the global “pushback” on gender equality. 

“Women’s rights are under pressure around the globe, including in the Nordic Region. The Nordic Region must continue to be a progressive force to counteract this trend,” said Eva Lindh.  

Eva Lindh and Eva Biaudet outside the UN building in New York during CSW69.

CSW69 marked the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Declaration, in which 181 countries signed a plan of action identifying 12 strategic areas to strengthen women’s rights, including combating violence against women and increasing women’s participation in conflict resolution.

A focus of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women was on following up on the declaration and assessing the progress made. It’s clear that efforts to promote women’s rights in conflict areas and their representation in peace processes still need to be strengthened in order to achieve the goals set in Beijing.

“When women participate in peace processes, the chances of achieving lasting and sustainable agreements increase. We need to build structures that not only make peace possible but also ensure it lasts over time,” said Eva Lindh.