Seminar on “Women Architects of Peace”

On the occasion of International Day of Peace, Institute for Protection of Women’s Rights in cooperation with UNIC Tehran and Chair of Human Rights, Peace and Democracy of Shahid Beheshti University held a seminar “Women Architects of Peace” at UN Office on 17 September 2017, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Former Spokesman of Judiciary and Professor of Law and Head of Chair of Human Rights, Peace and Democracy of Shahid Beheshti University Dr. Hossein Mirmohammad-Sadeqi

UNIC Director Dr. Maria Dotsenko, Advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director General of Human Rights and Women Department of Foreign Ministry Dr. Zahra Pishgahifard and Former Spokesman of Judiciary and Professor of Law and Head of Chair of Human Rights, Peace and Democracy of Shahid Beheshti University Dr. Hossein Mirmohammad-Sadeqi were the main speakers of this seminar.

Addressing nearly 120 university professors and students, researchers as well as NGO members and journalists, UNIC Director Dotsenko spoke about International Day of Peace.

She said  that as peacekeeping has evolved to encompass a broader humanitarian approach, women have become increasingly part of the peacekeeping family.

“Women are deployed in all areas – police, military and civilian – and have made a positive impact on peacekeeping environments, both in supporting the role of women in building peace and protecting women’s rights,” she added.

UNIC Director emphasized that in all fields of peacekeeping, women peacekeepers have proven that they can perform the same roles, to the same standards and under the same difficult conditions, as their male counterparts.

“In 1993, women made up 1% of deployed uniformed personnel and currently in peacekeeping operations women making up 29 percent of international and 17 percent of national staff,” she quoted UN statistics.

Dotsenko said female peacekeepers act as role models in the local environment, inspiring women and girls in often male-dominated societies to push for their own rights and for participation in peace processes.

She also spoke about various Iranian initiatives aimed to promote peace and to counter violent extremism.

Advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Pishgahifard in her remarks emphasized that she like all other human beings on earth, women, would like to live in peace and tranquility.

She said all people after experiencing two devastating world wars decided to have peace prevailing throughout the world.

“All nations wanted to live in peace and security under the international laws and the United Nations flag ,” the Foreign Ministry official added.

Dr. Mirmohammad-Sadeqi with regard to the women’s role in promoting peace told the participants that women can be the best promoters and advocates of peace in the world.

“During course of the history, we witnessed wherever there was war and violence, women were humiliated and wherever women were honored, peace and friendship dominated war and violence,” he added.

The seminar ended with a question and answer session and comments by the participants.

UN information materials were distributed to the participants.