Special OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting - Time of Crisis: ensuring women's participation in political and public life

Special OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting

Time of Crisis: ensuring women's participation in political and public life

26 May 2023

Statement by Dr Katie Mead, Alternate Permanent Representative

Ambassador Halacinski, Ambassador Bakhtari, Secretary General Schmid.

Thank you for hosting today’s important meeting, and to our speakers for their valuable insights. Australia is committed to achieving gender equality and to protecting and promoting the human rights of women and girls.

Central to this is women’s participation in political and public life. Diverse and inclusive leadership is critical to delivering our shared interests in peace, security, and stability, and for community resilience, cohesion, and sustainable development.

Unfortunately, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have lost ground on our gender equality gains. According to the World Economic Forum, last year the global gender gap receded to 2016 levels.

Improving and ensuring diverse women’s full and equal decision-making and leadership is key to reversing this trend, and why our discussion today is more important than ever.

Since the return of the Taliban, women and girls in Afghanistan suffer restrictions on education, mobility, employment and clothing, resulting in non-inclusion in government and civil society. As Secretary General Schmid has said, this is a catastrophe for women in Afghanistan. The information we have just heard from Mr Bennett is chilling.

We have heard today about the bans on women UN staff and women NGO staff. Australia condemns these decisions in the strongest possible terms. It is a gross violation of human rights, and a dangerous act that puts at risk millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian assistance.

Australia is proud to continue supporting humanitarian activities in Afghanistan where women can provide and receive aid.

As the Taliban tries to keep women and girls in obscurity, Australia is committed to keeping the lights on, and we continue to stand by the women and girls of Afghanistan. We thank Ms Kohistani and Ms Koofi for their words today and assure you of Australia’s support.

Australia acknowledges the threats to women’s political and public participation during war and crisis.

We are grateful for the reflections of Ms Ionova, who has reminded us that as we meet today, women and girls in Ukraine are gravely affected by Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. Australia condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – it is a gross violation of international law.

The war has disempowered women and girls as they have been displaced from their homes, and they face an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

This is why we are committed to full implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.

One of the four pillars of the WPS agenda is increased participation of women at all levels of decision-making and in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts.

This includes in the security sector, military contingents, peacekeeping forces, and peacemaking. It requires concerted mainstreaming of gender across peace and security processes.

Women should and will play a key role in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine that sees the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and Russia being held to account for its war of aggression.

Globally, action to increase women’s representation is needed in all spheres of public life. This is important for ensuring that women’s knowledge, insights, and innovations help tackle contemporary challenges and shape our futures.

Australia looks forward to continued collaboration with our Asian Partners for Cooperation and OSCE Participating States to advance gender equality and the human rights of women and girls.