Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) is gravely concerned by the lack of inclusion of women in the Syrian peace process. Despite the existence of seven UN Security Council Resolutions on women, peace and security calling for the meaningful participation of women in all UN peace efforts, no women have been included in the Syrian negotiations. We echo the call from the Syrian Women’s Forum for Peace that women’s presence at Geneva II is imperative.
The latest UN Security Council Resolution 2122 (UNSCR 2122, 2013) recognises a need for ‘a significant implementation shift’ (Point 15). Considering this, women’s absence from the Syrian peace process seems all the more unacceptable. UNSCR 2122 has been heralded as a ‘high water mark’ in women, peace and security commitments, but these commitments remain meaningless if not acted upon.
The tragic situation of the Syrian conflict provides an opportunity to turn paper commitments into reality.
