Women still sidelined in peace efforts, says Kuugongelwa-Amadhila at global summit

National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says women are still underrepresented in many areas.

This is since the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR) on women, peace, and security 25 years ago.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says the resolution was a long overdue recognition of women’s agency in conflict prevention, peace building, and post-conflict recovery.

“Although significant strides have been made globally, women still remain significantly underrepresented in peace processes, underfunded in conflict prevention, and continue to bear the disproportionate burden of conflict,” she says.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Geneva on Monday.

The session was themed ‘The Women, Peace and Security Agenda 25 Years On: Persisting Challenges and the Way Forward’.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR) holds deep national significance for Namibia.

She said Namibia has since maintained a prominent role in advancing the women, peace
and security (WPS) framework.

“We believe multilateral collaboration and accountability are vital for peace and justice. At home, our progress has been tangible. Namibia ranks first in Africa and eighth globally in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report,” she said.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said peace must not only be negotiated at conference tables but felt in the lives of women in every village, border post, and urban settlement.

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