Security Council : Briefing on Women, Peace and Security in the Context of Accelerated Drawdowns of UN Peace Operations
The Security Council holds today a briefing on “Sustaining women, peace and security commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of peace operations”. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and a civil society representative are the expected briefers.
The UN system has recently grappled with several transition processes, including in contexts where host governments have compelled UN missions to withdraw in haste. In 2023, following requests from host country authorities, the Security Council terminated the mandates of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is currently undergoing a phased drawdown, while UN missions in Iraq and Somalia are also facing the prospect of a cessation of their operations.
Today’s’s meeting marks the first time that the Security Council focuses specifically on challenges of accelerated drawdowns for the WPS agenda. According to a concept note prepared by Sierra Leone (August’s Council president), accelerated drawdowns, reconfiguration, and exit of UN peace operations “may pose increased risks for women and girls”.
In her briefing, Bahous is likely to express concern at the reduction of UN presence in conflict-affected countries against a backdrop of rising conflict and insecurity, severe levels of violence against women and girls, and shrinking space for women’s political participation in these contexts
Pobee may frame transitions as tools to consolidate peace and WPS gains while also presenting specific challenges. She might also highlight examples of good practices and lessons learned regarding gender analysis, funding to support women’s participation, and transfer of responsibility in transition contexts.
