Ministerial Meeting on the Responsibility to Protect: R2P and the Role of Women and Girls in Atrocity Prevention

20 September 2021

On 20 September 2021 the governments of Costa Rica, Croatia and Denmark and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect co-hosted the 2021 Ministerial Meeting on the Responsibility to Protect on the sidelines of the opening of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly entitled, “The Responsibility to Protect and the Role of Women and Girls in Atrocity Prevention.”

Women and girls are uniquely affected and targeted in many situations where atrocity crimes are being perpetrated, and yet the frameworks that influence policymakers and actors in the field often lack a gendered lens. In all atrocity situations, as well in post-conflict settings, it remains essential to address women’s experiences and highlight women’s leadership roles in the prevention of and response to atrocity crimes. The ministerial-level event provided an important opportunity for UN member states to recommit to the mutually enforcing agendas of R2P and the Women, Peace and Security agenda (WPS), highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to prevention, accountability and reconciliation.

During the meeting, member states assessed how to achieve the full, equal and meaningful participation of women during conflicts and in post-conflict resolution. Many states also discussed country-specific situations, including recent developments in Afghanistan, Ethiopia’s Tigray region and Myanmar.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

- Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide
- Ms. Wai Wai Nu, Burmese human rights activist, Founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Peace Network

OPENING STATEMENTS

- H.E. Mr. Rodolfo Solano Quirós, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica
- H.E. Mr. Gordan Grlić-Radman, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia
- H.E. Mr. Jeppe Kofod, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark