Statement by Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the UNSC Arria Formula Meeting on strengthening an approach to peace and security in the Sahelt hrough gender lens

Statement by Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the UNSC Arria Formula Meeting on strengthening an approach to peace and security in the Sahelt hrough gender lens

Mr.Chair,

Ukraine appreciates the initiative of the Permanent Mission of Niger to hold this Arria formula meeting and thanks to the delegations of the European Union and the African Union as its co-chairs, as well as all briefers and speakers for their presentations.

Ukraine has always been committed to promoting the Women and Peace and Security agenda as a state that, as an elected Security Council member for 2000-2001, was involved in preparation and adoption of the Resolution 1325, as well as a country affected by the international armed conflict.

This insecurity in the region has disproportionately affected women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable to the threats stemming from attacks by armed groups and violent extremism, poverty, sexual violence and discrimination, as well as climate change.

Since gender equality has several dimensions, it is equally important to consider the socio-economic aspects of gender equality in the Sahel region. ECOSOC resolutions on this topic defined the main UN agencies’ activities in this region. Last year the ECOSOC transition event focused on multidimensional and interconnected challenges in the central Sahel region, particularly on reducing needs, risks and vulnerabilities for people through closer humanitarian, development and peacebuilding collaboration.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought women and girls in the Sahel to higher risks due to their disproportionate presence in the informal economy and activities, that cannot be done remotely. They do not have the same access to resources, digital technologies, education, job and business opportunities as men.

As the Vice-President of this ECOSOC session, I believe that special attention to this topic should be paid at the ECOSOC Humanitarian Segment in June this year.

Conflicts and climate change have gender impacts on communities in the region, including in the context of male out-migration and increased share of female-headed households, as well as women’s important role in economic and social developments in the Sahel countries.

At the same time, local women have been marginalized from conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, despite the obvious benefits for peace processes from women’s engagement. Being a part of long-lasting practices of limitation of women’s access to decision-making and political careers in regional societies, this inequality should come to an end.

Mr.Chair,

This is Ukraine’s strong belief as a consistent promoter of the WPS agenda as well as a contributor to UN peace operations in the Sahel region, including to MINUSMA.

We, therefore, support the initiative to launch the Group of Friends of Women of the Sahel and are ready to contribute to the Group’s activities.

Thank you.