VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Women are not only part of the solution, but also a source of peace and security ", said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, when officially opening the Regional Training on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) event held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 8 - April 10, 2019.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Foreign Minister delivered 3 (three) suggestions to ensure that women's involvement in security and peace. First, it emphasizes the importance of the role of women as agents of peace and tolerance. Second, doubling efforts to mainstream the role of women in the peace agenda in the Region. Third, build and foster a network of female negotiators and mediators in the Region.

To realize these three things, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held a Training on Women, Peace and Security for around 60 female diplomats from ASEAN member countries, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. The activity aims to be a place for learning and sharing best practices for young female diplomats in building capacity to analyze and prevent conflicts, and build post-conflict peace.

The training also seeks to align with Indonesia's commitment to being a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and ASEAN commitments as stated in the "Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and Security in ASEAN" adopted by ASEAN leaders on November 13, 2017 at the ASEAN Summit 31st in the Philippines.

In a broader context, women also play a key role in maintaining peace through their role in the economic, social and cultural fields. Moreover, the UN Women research shows that women's participation in peace negotiations increases the possibility of sustainable peace by 20%.

However, despite the important contribution of women in peace and security, women's representation and role is still inadequate in various phases of the peace process. Seeing this, there is a crucial need to actively support women's participation in the ongoing peace process before, during and after the conflict.

For three days, the regional training participants had discussed and shared best practices with panelists who were full of experience in issues of peace & security. The panelists consisted of figures from the military and police, government, think tanks and non-government organizations. Participants will also be invited to visit the Social Rehabilitation Center for Children in Need of "Handayani" Special Protection (BRSAMPK) and the Indonesian Peace and Security Center (IPSC) Region.

With this activity, Foreign Minister Retno hoped that the role of women in peace and security should not be extraordinary, but rather became the norm. (mofa indonesia)