The participation of women and girls in peace and security processes is the best guarantee for lasting and lasting peace and security, this was said on the occasion of the United Nations Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security organized by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

The today’s agenda was “Breaking Barriers and Building Peace: Advancing women’s participation in political processes”. President Vjosa Osmani said that the integration of women and girls in peace and security processes is definitely a daily goal. She stressed the need to have more women in leadership structures. Osmani said that Kosovo for the first time, on October 22 and 23, will organize the International Forum on Women, Peace and Security, and thus is fulfilling her commitment given at the Democracy Summit. "The initial premise of any discussion should be that the participation of women and girls in peace and security processes is our best guarantee for lasting peace and security... Kosovo has adopted Resolution 1325 and we believe in its transformative power, however until today we talk about the challenges associated with its implementation it is inevitable not to address the part of the cultural and social context in our country, and not only is it impossible to neglect the direct influence of patriarchal thought in terms of implementing and fulfilling the goals that are part of this agenda. The empowerment of girls and women can never be treated as an isolated agenda... The integration of women and girls in peace and security processes is undoubtedly a daily goal, but we can only achieve this when we guarantee equality in all other areas as well... We understand that this can be a long and difficult journey, but the will exists. We need more women in leadership structures and this is not just a wish, it is based on clear facts and evidence that women can do it, but most importantly, the society wants this and needs it, and is ready to guarantee this", said Osmani. Caroline Ziadeh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the new Head of UNMIK, said that women's participation in decision-making processes contributes to a democratic and inclusive society. "According to this resolution, the significant participation of women in decision-making processes contributes to a more democratic, developed and inclusive society and the raising of the level of lasting peace. True change can occur when we ensure that the younger generations, including young men, strengthen the political representation of women. The Global Open Day is an opportunity to invest in women... Breaking down barriers is about creating the conditions for inclusive societies where peace and stability can flourish in diversity. It is not only about overcoming obstacles to women's participation, but it is also about security and changing the paradigm introduced in partnership and common values", she said. The United Nations Development Coordinator Ulrike Richardson said the movement of women on the Western Balkans's journey towards peace and equality is an important engine. "For 22 years we have been talking about Security Council Resolution 13/25 and we are still talking about this resolution, but we really do not see the results and the light that we were waiting for, but we are not too far away, we have to we keep moving forward and we know this is the right thing to do. The Western Balkans has had many painful moments in the past, but it has chosen the path to peace, it has chosen peace as its path and there is no turning back, but for this to really happen, for this journey to go forward, women must be part of the journey... we have no excuse not to include the woman in this journey we have the facts, the figures all the means, we also have even the moral obligation. I have been impressed for 4 years in Kosovo by the quality, determination, passion and dynamism of the women's movement not only in Kosovo, but throughout the region. I believe that the women's movement is an important engine for this journey and a way to continue not to look back", said Richardson. Whereas, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo for minority issues and human rights, Emilija Rexhepi said that in Kosovo has worked in terms of equal opportunities for all. "Democratic processes in this society must move forward, and that all of us must give the maximum within the limits of our capabilities, in order to be equal, to be the same, to be represented in all institutions of Kosovo without any discrimination on national, ethnic or religious grounds. Today's topic dedicated to women's rights, peace and security is something that concerns all of us first with our family, then with the environment where we live and the state where we are. To the extent that we will be with the same courage, to the extent that we will be able to change our society, open up to the region and accept all our neighbors equally. This is a battle where we are all here, and we must be honest during this process that will be long, and we must be together to go in the direction we want", said Rexhepi. The discussion at the conference continued with panels that discussed the importance of women's leadership in sustainable peace, but also the role of women in empowering inclusive decision-making processes.