South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, on Wednesday co-chaired the meeting of the Global Network of Focal Points on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18-19 May.
South Africa is the 2022 co-chair of the meeting of the Global Network of Focal Points on Women, Peace and Security, which is running under the theme “Partnering for Change – Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into Action”.
“This theme embodies the idea of Cooperation between states, regional and international organisation and civil society as a source of innovative and transformation of the women, peace and security agenda,” the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said on Wednesday.
It noted that the twin objectives of this year’s meeting was to draw global attention to the two interrelated pillars of WPS Agenda, which seek to promote the participation and protection of women in peace and security matters.
“The participation of women in all phases of peace processes and at all levels of decision-making is interlinked with the protection of women’s rights. One does not work without the other,” the ministry said.
It added: “The gradual erosion of their rights is impacting women’s opportunities and affecting the implementation of global WPS commitments.”
The meeting is expected to encourage the development of transformative strategies that can be integrated into national action plans, policies and regional WPS framework.
JN/APA