UNA Warwick & District: Road to Gender Equality

Road to Gender Equality: Achievements and Challenges
100 years since women got the vote in the UK

Guest Speaker: Josephine Roele
Gender Action for Peace and Security

Josephine will address the local UN Association on the importance of women’s participation in social and political processes and of the achievements of feminist movements – e.g. for suffrage and political representation – in relation to gender equality, peacebuilding and conflict prevention.  She will explore the UK Government’s commitments to women’s rights in conflict on the international stage and will link this to the national context celebrating 100 years since some women gained the right to vote in Britain with the Representation of the People Act.

Josephine’s presentation will set the stage for a wider discussion around gender pay equality, the emancipation of women in the workplace, politics and society, and the role of women in politics and wider international relations.

Josephine Roele joined GAPS in May 2017. Previously, she supported the disarmament programme, Reaching Critical Will, at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in Geneva. She has experience in disarmament and international security policy and advocacy, and in undertaking research on Women, Peace and Security and arms control issues. Most recently her research has focused on the protection and promotion of women’s rights and Women, Peace and Security in the context of countering violent extremism.
She was an intern at WITNESS working on gender-based violence, particularly in relation to drafting an Arms Trade Treaty text. Josephine completed her MA in gender and international development at UCL in 2016, where she focused on girls’ education in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and feminist international relations.

Baroness Anelay of St. Johns said: "Widening the lens to consider the international scene as it is now… It is vital that women are part of decision-making institutions such as parliament. It is fundamental, not just for gender equality but for democracy and legitimacy of the process.”

When women lead and participate in peace processes, peace lasts longer. Since the ground breaking UN Security Council resolution 1325, calling for women’s participation in peacebuilding was passed 17 years ago, there is mounting evidence that women are powerful actors in sustaining peace in their communities and nations. Research shows that achieving gender equality helps in preventing conflict, and high rates of violence against women correlates with outbreaks of conflict.
Despite the evidence, actions for women’s inclusion, leadership and protection remain inadequate. In some areas, there has even been a roll back on progress.

There will be a Ploughman`s Lunch and coffee/tea (£3.50 per head) from 12:00 pm till 12:30 pm and the meeting starts at 12:30 prompt.  For catering purpose please do let me know if you intend coming.