United Nations (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - Germany said here Friday that the involvement of women in peace initiatives is crucial to " any lasting, sustainable peace."

The statement came as Miguel Berger, the German deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, was speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council on the role of women in achieving peace and security.

"Including women in peace initiatives is not a benevolent act, we see it as a key requirement to any lasting, sustainable peace," he said.

"Women`s participation will strengthen the capacity to resolve conflict and build security and justice systems that protect the human rights of all," he said.

"However, we have still existing gaps between repeated commitments and the situation on the ground," he said. "Women remain severely under-represented in peace negotiations and they are often marginalized in efforts to build sustainable peace."

"It is crucial to constantly strive for more women in leading positions, also within the UN, and to give women a voice during all stages of peace processes," he said. "There is a clear link between women`s participation in the early stages of preventive diplomacy, peace-making or peace-building and their presence in implementation mechanisms."
(U.C003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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