Dozens of women and men gathered today, December 11, 2023, during the "Women, Peace and Security" Conference.

Topics of major importance in the current security context were debated on the discussion platform, namely the implementation of the Program and the related Action Plan and the cohesion between the actors involved in the security and defense sector in order to reduce stereotypes and barriers in the field.

In this sense, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda being an essential element for the sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.

The event was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Adrian Efros, Katarina Fried, the Ambassador of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova, Dominika Stojanoska, the Representative of UN Women in Moldova, Doina Gherman and Marcela Adam, deputies in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Nicoleta Pauliuc, Senator in the Parliament of Romania, Ambassadors , representatives of the UN, NATO, EU, OSCE, as well as representatives of civil society.

The main topics covered: women in the defense sector, internal affairs and intelligence, women in cyber defense and women involved in the fight against hybrid warfare and disinformation. Also, during the Conference, the guests had the opportunity to debate good practices in order to implement the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council regarding the field of FPS (Women, Peace and Security), as well as the improvement of financing and assistance programs.

The main topics covered: women in the defense sector, internal affairs and intelligence, women in cyber defense and women involved in the fight against hybrid warfare and disinformation. Also, during the Conference, the guests had the opportunity to debate good practices in order to implement the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council regarding the field of FPS (Women, Peace and Security), as well as the improvement of financing and assistance programs .

The Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Adrian Efros, emphasized that the National Program for the implementation of Resolution 1325 is for the Republic of Moldova a deep commitment to building a fair and secure society, in which women play an important role in promoting peace, security and stability.

"The implementation of this program represents an opportunity to transform our commitments into concrete actions. By involving women in the decision-making processes, by creating a secure and fair environment, we have the chance to evolve faster towards a fairer and safer future. Our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is a commitment to justice, equality and human rights. It is the recognition that without the active participation of women, our efforts for peace are incomplete. Today, we must dismantle the barriers that limit women's involvement and ensure that their voices are heard at every level of decision-making."

The Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, Katarina Fried, noted that new approaches and tools are essential to address persistent security threats.

"We know that inclusion needs more support to have legitimacy, which will lead to negotiations to have a sustainable peace. Women are more than half of the population and are very active in the peace building process. (..) We will continue to support our allies in their strategies and help them receive the necessary support so that the Agenda is respected nationally as well as globally".

"The conference is a key element to build peace, to promote the exchange of experience and to manage different issues. (..) And the other resolutions that were adopted are the key for the participation of women in the development of peace and to participate in various processes of recovery, peace building, but also to address and deal with gender-based violence and other types" he pointed out Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Representative in Moldova.

In his welcome speech, Doina GHERMAN, President of the Foreign Policy and European Integration Commission of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, specified:

"Gender equality goes hand in hand with democracy, it goes hand in hand with peace, with security. (..) In the last two years we have gone through various crises, but the most important thing is to know that we have solidarity in society and this clear commitment to peace.
I come with a message for Ukrainian women, those who have demonstrated resistance, resilience and are a model of courage for new women of the Republic of Moldova.We managed in the Republic of Moldova to change the narrative and to change Ukrainian women from victims to successful women, brave women who can survive and win".

In his message President of the Committee for Defense, Public Order and National Security of the Romanian Parliament, Nicoleta PAULIUC, pointed out that:

"The Republic of Moldova is an example worth following when it comes to promoting women in accordance with the UN and NATO Agenda on Women, Peace and Security. The leadership of women at the top of the leadership of the Republic of Moldova is inspirational. (..) The Moldovan state has shown that it is strong and has managed to allow almost two million refugees to cross the border since the outbreak of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine".

In the context, participants spoke about the need to increase the number of women in leadership positions, in peace negotiations and disarmament processes, adapt policies to meet the specific needs of women and strengthen their leadership capacities.

The conference represented a significant step in the direction of promoting a fair and resilient society in the Republic of Moldova, offering concrete solutions and strategies for the active involvement of women in ensuring sustainable security and peace throughout the region.

We note that the women of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been on the front line since the war in Ukraine began. So:

•    1117 women from MAI subdivisions were involved in the management of the migration flow/maintenance of public order following the conflict in Ukraine;
•    the number of women in the MAI system – 4233 women, constitute 26.4% of all MAI employees;
•    the number of women in management positions within the MAI subdivisions – 321 women, 15.1% of the total number of management positions.

We specify that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the institution responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Program and the Action Plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council, regarding women, peace and security for the years 2023-2027.

The Program and Action Plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325 is consistent with the priorities of: the Council of Europe Strategy for equality between women and men for the period 2018-2023, the European Union Strategy on gender equality for the years 2020-2025, the Strategic Plan of UN Women for the years 2022-2025, the Association Agenda between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union for the period 2021-2027.

The "Women, Peace and Security" conference was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the support of Sweden.