Gender equality discussed at an international scientific-practical conference in online format

During 29^th - 30^th of October 2020, the Ministry of Defense and the Alexandru Cel Bun Military Academy in partnership with  United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Platform for Gender Equality in the Republic of Moldova and the Information and Documentation Centre on NATO in the Republic of Moldova, held an international scientific-practical conference “Agenda‚ Women, Peace and Security”: human security insurance, sustainable peace promotion and conflict prevention”.

Having attended the conference inauguration, the Defense Minister, Alexandru Pinzari, highly appreciated the organization of such an event at international level, which gives to the participants the opportunity to discuss the role of resolution 1325 implementation, as well as the main achievements in this field. „For the Ministry of Defense staff is a high priority. In this institution, women and men represent a team, a strong power that join their efforts for a common future, with equal chances in the society, regardless of fields of activity. At the moment, approximately 20% of Moldovan soldiers are women. Their participation in international peacekeeping missions, in peace negotiation and military conflicts mediation processes is one of the main priorities of Ministry of Defense in the context of implementation of the agenda Women, Peace and Security’. So far, we have 10 women who participated in peacekeeping missions. This proves us that we are on a right path in terms of our responsibilities within the resolution 1325”, Alexandru Pinzari shared.

“During last 2 decades, Sweden has been a dialogue partner with all Moldovan national stakeholders in promoting greater gender equality. Everything could be achieved only with an active participation of state institutions and civil society. In all Swedish supported initiatives, a tailored approach to the local context is followed and adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and then adoption of the National Action Plan on Resolution in 2018 can be listed among supported national efforts. Though the importance of women in peacekeeping is recognized, still joint efforts are required. The inclusion of women is crucial at both: formal level and informal peace processes, to ensure durable peace, because peace is a prerequisite for human security and the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 reminds us about it” - said Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden in the republic of Moldova

“The Security Council Resolution 1325 linked gender equality and the maintenance of the international peace and security and recognized for the first time women’s participation as a key to resolving conflict and sustaining peace. This Resolution confirmed that conflicts are not gender neutral; its four pillars – participation, prevention, promotion, relief and recovery, demonstrate the absolute necessity for women to participate in decision making processes, as they have a strong role in preventing and protecting from conflict and violence.”, Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative in Moldova mentioned. 

At the on-line discussions participated representatives of international organizations, diplomatic missions, governmental sector, central and local public administration, security and defense institutions, academic sector, civil society, both from the Republic of Moldova and from abroad.

The conference consisted of five workshops. During this period, subjects related to gender perspective mainstreaming, gender equality and equity promotion, prevention and combating discrimination, gender-based violence were discussed.

It should be reminded that the Republic of Moldova has approved the National Programme of implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2018-2021 and the action plan regarding its enforcement on 28 March 2018, by the governmental judgment no. 259/201.