In Havana, Cuba, UN Women Executive Director to meet with Colombian parties of the Peace Talks Table

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence Zainab Hawa Bangura, will visit Havana, Cuba, from 23-24 July. The UN representatives will join an event organized by the parties, which will publicly present the important achievements made by the Gender Sub-Commission composed of representatives of the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The ceremony will be a unique opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the integration of gender equality and women’s human rights into the peace agreements.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Ms. Bangura’s visit to Havana will also be an opportunity to share international experiences with the parties of the peace process on the integration of gender approached into post-conflict settings.

Unlike most of the peace negotiations in history, during Colombia’s peace process, women have had an increased presence and leadership at the peace talks. The voices and concerns of women are being heard at the negotiating tables, via the Gender Sub-Commission, and during national and regional consultations nationwide. Their specific needs and demands have been incorporated into the partial agreements.

Colombia’s fulfillment of its national and international commitments to promote gender equality and women’s leadership in peace and development in the final agreement and its implementation will make this peace process a model in modern and gender-sensitive peacemaking.

During the visit UN Women Executive Director will also meet with a number of senior Cuban officials to discuss key gender equality issues, including the Cuban Women’s Federation, as well as UN representatives in the country.