Shama seeks bigger role for women in peace efforts

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for greater participation of women in peace processes and decision-making, along with stronger accountability for violations against women.

She made the call at the annual ministerial meeting of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Focal Points Network at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, according to a Foreign Ministry press release issued on Thursday.

The Philippines, Italy and UN Women jointly convened the meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly session.

The meeting marked 25 years since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, with participants discussing its implementation and accountability.

Recalling Bangladesh’s support for the resolution while serving as an elected member of the UN Security Council in 2000, Shama reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ensuring women’s meaningful participation in decisions concerning peace and security.

She urged countries to strengthen women-led early warning and mediation initiatives, ensure greater participation of women in peace negotiations, and integrate the WPS agenda into climate and humanitarian action.

The state minister said Bangladesh was currently developing its second WPS National Action Plan.
She also highlighted the Dhaka Dialogue, a Bangladesh-led initiative addressing digital harassment and AI-enabled abuse against women, and invited UN member states to join its upcoming Group of Friends.
Ministers and senior representatives from several countries attended the meeting.