New York:The State of Qatar has emphasized that women's participation in peacebuilding should extend beyond token representation to become a complete and central involvement in achieving sustainable peace.
According to Qatar News Agency, this statement was made by Her Excellency Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during the Security Council's open discussion on Women, Peace and Security. The session, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, was themed "Women, Peace and Security in the Next Quarter-Century Fulfilling the Promise through Implementation."
Her Excellency reiterated Qatar's dedication to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, highlighting its diplomatic initiatives and mediation efforts that aim to broaden women's participation in dialogue and decision-making. She also noted Qatar's active membership in the Arab Women Mediators Network and its upcoming hosting of the Women, Peace and Security Working Group meeting for the Arab States in January 2025, which underscores the importance of regional collaboration in enhancing women's leadership in peace and security.
Furthermore, Her Excellency emphasized the need for a framework that respects international law principles, state sovereignty, and peaceful dispute resolutions, particularly given the current challenges faced by the Middle East. She stressed dialogue as the sole path to a sustainable resolution and affirmed Qatar's ongoing efforts to support regional security and stability, benefiting all, including women and girls.
Additionally, Her Excellency highlighted the severe impact of conflicts on women and girls, referencing the United Nations Secretary-General's report on Women, Peace and Security. The report details a significant increase in global conflicts by 2025 and the alarming number of women and girls affected in the occupied Palestinian territories, with at least 38,000 fatalities in Gaza from October 2023 to December 2025. She pointed out that Palestinian women experience the greatest hardships due to Israeli violations of humanitarian and human rights laws.
Reflecting on over 25 years since Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted, Her Excellency remarked that Qatar continues to measure success not by commitments alone but by tangible changes in the lives of women and girls in conflict zones.