The Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Venezuela: The Role of Venezuelan Women in Peacebuilding

 Wednesday, November 10th, 2021/ Time: 02:00 pm EDT

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Context

In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council approved resolution 1325, building the foundations for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS). The WPS Agenda recognizes the impact that conflicts have on women and girls throughout the world and the importance of their equal participation and leadership in all aspects of peace and security. The goal of the WPS agenda is to achieve sustainable peace and security for all people; therefore, the prevention of conflicts and the guarantee of peace is why we need equal and meaningful participation of women in all their diversity.

Since that year, the Security Council has adopted nine resolutions on women, peace, and security to increase women’s participation in decision-making, conflict prevention, and resolution.

It is necessary to apply the WPS agenda in Venezuela. The country is experiencing one of the most complex crises in its history, caused by a prolonged period of institutional deterioration that has affected every pillar of society. Although Venezuela has a legal framework that prohibits discrimination based on gender, Venezuelan women continue to face substantial institutional and social prejudices, especially in the political sphere.

Additionally, Venezuelan women have suffered a disproportionate impact from the humanitarian crisis. The Venezuelan case constitutes a current example of the victimization of women as a consequence of the complex humanitarian crisis and, at the same time, limited participation of women in the processes of developing solutions.

It is imperative to include women in finding solutions to the Venezuelan crisis, particularly considering the mass migration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries. Their participation and leadership are essential to achieve sustainable peace and to avoid future conflicts and atrocity crimes. This is of special relevance given the current negotiation process between the Venezuelan government and the opposition. It is essential to both incorporate a gender perspective in the negotiations and to include women in the complete process.

Considering all of the above, we are delighted to invite you to an open discussion on “The Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Venezuela: The role of Venezuelan Women in Peacebuilding” on November 10th, 2021 at 02:00 pm (EDT). The discussion aims to explore how the WPS agenda can be implemented in Venezuelan.

Objectives of this session:

1. To enable a discussion on the differentiated impact suffered by women due to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and their role in developing solutions to the situation.
2. To analyze the implementations of the WPS agenda in the Venezuelan crisis.
3. To assess the participation of women in the political sphere and the current political negotiations.

The session is divided into four interventions, moderated by Ms. Quiteria Franco- Director, Unión Afirmativa- as follows:

• 02:00 – 02:10. Welcoming remarks by the moderator.
• 02:10 – 02:20. Remarks by Ms. Gwyn Kutz, Director General of Peace & Stabilization Operations Program at Global Affairs Canada.
• 02:20 – 02:30. Ms. Alba Purroy, Nonviolent Action & Peacebuilding Trainer. Topic: Women as agents of peace and their role in Venezuelan politics.
• 02:30 – 02:40. Ms. Natasha Saturno, Acción Solidaria and Con Ellas. Topic: The impact of the complex Venezuelan humanitarian crisis upon women’s rights.
• 02:40 – 02:50. Dr. Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi. Topic: The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Venezuela.
• 02:50 – 03:20. Questions & answers.
• 03:20 – 03:30. Closing remarks by the moderator.