Outcome document WPS Side Event: The nexus between the WPS agenda and elections unpacked: Women's participation in election in the DRC, South Sudan and other contexts 

In the margins of the Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security women activists from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Iraq, together with Permanent Missions of the Netherlands, Albania and the United Kingdom discussed the current situation of shrinking civic space and challenges around women’s participation in electoral processes. They explored opportunities to promote women’s political participation, building on lessons learned from peace processes in DRC, South Sudan and Iraq. The panel speakers zoomed in on the role that UN member states can play in supporting women’s equal, full and meaningful participation in elections.  

Some of these recommendations are:

1) Strengthen the implementation of electoral laws that allow for parity and create an open environment for women to participate as respected candidates in elections;

2) Facilitate female candidates with proper training on how to conduct election campaigns;

3) Invest in programs that stimulate women and youth to participate politically, and enable women-led organisations to localise the program according to local needs;

4) Coordinate initiatives between international stakeholders to support women’s organisations and women’s coalitions more effectively and efficiently;

5) Improve access for activists to the UNSC, conferences, and events by facilitating a better visa process. 

The session was co-hosted by WO=MEN, Cordaid and PAX together with the Permanent Missions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Albania and the United Kingdom Mission to the UN in New York. The event was supported under the umbrella of the Just Future and Leaders of Peace projects.

Learn more about the panel discussion and experts’ recommendations here.