CAIRO, Nov 28: Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah, urged the international community on Wednesday to recognize and support the resilience of women in conflict zones. She delivered her remarks at the fourth high-level ministerial conference, held at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, under the theme "Enhancing Protection and Comprehensive Response to the Needs of Women in Conflict Zones: Women Facing Wars."

Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah emphasized that the timing of this conference was critical, given the ongoing crises and conflicts in the Arab region, which have deeply impacted vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. She stressed the urgent need to take necessary actions to address their suffering.

The Kuwaiti diplomat expressed concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan, highlighting the devastating effects of escalating violence and the rising number of civilian casualties. She called for immediate efforts to halt the violence, urging the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civilians, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, and incorporating their needs into relief and reconstruction efforts.

In line with Kuwait's support for Gaza, Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah shared that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sponsored several initiatives, including the Arab Women's Peace and Security Conference organized by the Kuwaiti Union of Women's Societies under the slogan "Stop the War on Gaza Now, Not Tomorrow." This event was held in collaboration with the Arab Women Organization, with wide participation from Arab countries. The Ministry also supported an art exhibition focused on Palestinian women, titled "Women in War - From Palestine," in partnership with the Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Charitable Foundation.

Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah underscored the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 1325 and other relevant UN resolutions, particularly to increase women's participation in international peace and security efforts in the face of ongoing crises in the Arab region. She announced that Kuwait had formed a national committee in December 2023 to implement Resolution 1325, with a focus on increasing women's representation in leadership roles across various sectors, including security, military, judicial, and diplomatic positions.

The Assistant Foreign Minister also highlighted the significant role of Kuwaiti women in providing humanitarian and relief assistance in disaster-stricken areas, particularly in neighboring countries. She noted Kuwait's high standing in the Women, Peace, and Security indicators, as published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security.

She added that the National Committee had organized several workshops in collaboration with relevant organizations, including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), to raise awareness about Resolution 1325.

During the conference, Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah chaired the second dialogue session, which focused on "Enhancing the Effective Participation of Women in the Various Stages of Conflict, Peacemaking and Building, and in All Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts." The session addressed key topics, such as the opportunities and challenges surrounding women's participation in peace and development processes in the Arab region, as well as the role of women in mediation efforts and sustainable peace-building. The session also reviewed successful models of women's mediation practices in the Arab region and discussed women's critical role in post-conflict reconstruction.