In a speech to ambassadors during the Council’s open debate on the role of women and youth, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted the significant challenges and impacts faced by women worldwide.
“Women bear the brunt of the global rollback of human rights,” she stated.
DiCarlo recounted her recent visit to Afghanistan, where women are systematically denied basic rights, including education and employment opportunities.
“Women I met in Kabul shared their aspirations and dreams: equal education opportunities, employment equality, and the freedom to choose their futures. They look to the global community to support them in realizing their rights, so they can contribute to their country’s future,” she said.
Dismantling Structural Inequalities
DiCarlo noted that Afghanistan is not unique, pointing out that commitments to gender equality “are being ignored, if not reversed, in many regions.”
She emphasized the importance of the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which calls for dismantling patriarchal power structures and ensuring women’s equal access.
“Doing away with structural gender inequalities is a matter of equity and rights,” she asserted.
“But it is also a powerful means to improve the chances of success in peace and political processes,” she added, highlighting the efforts of UN special political missions to promote women’s rights and meaningful participation in peace processes.
Youth Inclusion
Another critical focus of DiCarlo’s remarks was the inclusion of youth.
She stressed the need for young people to shape their futures and safely participate in peace processes and electoral activities.
“They [young people] are not ‘adults in the making’,” she said. “They are full human beings with hopes, aspirations, ideas, and energy to contribute right now.”
Engaging youth in peace processes is a missed opportunity that governments should seize to rebuild trust in institutions and increase intergenerational solidarity.
Supporting Youth Participation
To support youth participation, the UN is allocating resources from the Peacebuilding Fund to back National Action Plans for Youth, Peace, and Security.
Regional efforts, such as the African Union’s framework and the Arab Regional Youth, Peace, and Security strategy, are also instrumental in catalyzing national actions, she said.
DiCarlo also highlighted environmental peacebuilding, where young women often play leading roles, and called for recognizing and advancing the contributions of young environmental defenders, community leaders, and peacebuilders.
In conclusion, DiCarlo emphasized that transformative changes rely on national action involving all segments of society, supported by international efforts. She urged the Security Council to reinforce that both women and men are responsible for building peace and prosperity in their societies.
“Gender equality and realizing the aspirations of young people are essential for sustainable peace and security around the world,” she concluded.
