VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated that women, who account for half the global population, are part of the world's agents of peace that offer effective solutions.

Marsudi made this statement at the United Nations (UN) Security Council Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (October 25).

In the debate initiated by Brazil as President of the UN Security Council, Marsudi stated that more than 60 percent of the victims of violence in Gaza were women and children.

This shows today's reality where women are always victims in every violent conflict, according to a written statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"I must frankly say that although there have been global efforts for women's empowerment and equality, the reality is far from ideal," she remarked.

Marsudi highlighted that in several parts of the world, women are the first victims of every conflict. Hence, she urged all parties to pay greater attention to the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda.

Hence, to this end, Indonesia also encourages strengthening the fundamental understanding of women's participation.

She explained that empowering and embracing women should not be seen as a burden, but rather, should be viewed as an investment and global standard.

"Women's empowerment and participation in the economic, social, and political sectors will strengthen community resilience and contribute to peace. I witnessed this myself, including through women's positive contribution to peacekeeping missions in the field," she stated.

Indonesia also encourages women's leadership in the peace process. Data has shown that women's participation increases the chances of peace agreements, Marsudi remarked.

"Therefore, we must invest more, including in the UN system, to ensure a safe and conducive environment for women, so that they can successfully play a role in global peace processes," she remarked. (Antaranews)