"Truth and gender in the Colombian peace process", "La verdad y el género en el proceso de paz colombiano": Alejandra Miller Restrepo, member of our Board and member of the Colombian Truth Commission, Colombia (English, Spanish)

In this print newsletter you can read about the exchange of knowledge and experience between two representatives of the Gender Working Group of the Colombian Truth Commission and peace activists from the Philippines and learn how the exchange at the WPS Focal Points meeting in South Africa contributes to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on "Women, Peace and Security".

The Colombian Truth Commission has carried out exemplary work. Women, marginalised groups and the diaspora were actively involved in the process of truth-seeking and dealing with the history of the armed conflict. The commission’s mandate has ended, but the peace work continues.

With the adoption of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1997, Switzerland undertook to remove discrimination against women in all areas of life and to promote legal and actual gender equality. This explicitly includes the active promotion of disadvantaged groups until equality is achieved. Our demands show that there is still much need for action.

Today, on International Women's Day for Peace and Disarmament, the Alliance for Women, Peace and Security launches its report on civil society priorities for the 5th Swiss National Action Plan to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The report contains recommendations from Swiss civil society to make Switzerland – and the world – safer and more peaceful for all people, especially women, girls and queer people.