Admin on August 12, 2019
GNWP Talks: Celebrating Youth Day 2019!
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GNWP Talks: Celebrating Youth Day 2019!

GNWP Talks: Celebrating Youth Day 2019!
 
GNWP wishes you a Happy International Youth Day!
 
In this celebratory podcast episode of GNWP Talks, Shivi Thakur and Eliza Beckerman-Lee, two Global Network of Women Peacebuilders interns, sit down with Sophia Garcia, Bianca Pabotoy, and Lynrose Jane D. Genon, three long-time members of GNWP’s Young Women for Peace and Leadership program to talk about the role of youth — especially young women — in the peacebuilding process.
 
Sophia, Bianca, and Lynrose, all based in the Philippines, recently spoke on a series of panels at the High-Level Political Forum at the UN about their work engaging young women in issues of peace and security. In the spirit of International Youth Day we continued this discussion and listened to what else these young women had to say about the importance of increasing the presence of young people on the global stage!
 

 
 
 

Featuring GNWP’s Young Women for Peace and Leadership: High-Level Political Involvement
 
August 12, 2019, by Anne Campbell
Edited by Beatriz Ciordia and Mallika Iyer
 
In order to effectively create long-term and sustainable peace, it is crucial to meaningfully include young women in the political decision-making process. Young women face unique barriers to political participation and economic empowerment due to their double-marginalization, as women and as youth. The Young Women for Peace and Leadership (YWPL) members have advocated for women’s rights and sustainable peace at global, regional, national, and local levels. From Rome to Jakarta, YWPL members are advancing the Women, Peace and Security, and Youth, Peace and Security agendas at a tremendous pace. 
 
Meet Sophia Dianne Garcia:
 
 
Sophia is a YWPL Coordinator in the Philippines. She participated in the PyeongChang Global Peace Forum held in PyeongChang, South Korea, from February 9 to11, 2019; and in the High-Level Commitments Event in Preparation for the 20th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters on April 23rd, 2019.
 
“It is about what you will be doing when you step down the podium, when you go out of that conference room and when you go back to your communities. I bring with me the voices, narratives and experiences of all women, men, boys and girls who have the same vision of a world where there is peace, justice, respect for human rights and equality.” – Sophia Dianne Garcia, YWPL-Philippines
 
Meet Aisyah Maullidah:
 
 
Aisyah is a YWPL member in Indonesia. In April 2019, she participated in national level advocacy meetings on countering violent extremism in Jakarta with key representatives of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the National Agency for Combating Terrorism, UN Development Program, and UN Women.
 
“Our conversations led to a productive two-way discussion about monitoring during the post-reform conflict in 1998. By establishing direct communication with young women regarding building peace, preventing conflict, and protecting women’s rights, we will create more sustainable peace.” – Aisyah Maullidah, YWPL-Indonesia
 
Meet Noella Muhamirizia:
 
 
Noella is a YWPL member in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In March 2019, she participated in various high-level side events during the 63rd UN Commission on Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York.
 
“As a Young Woman for Peace and Leadership, it was refreshing to hear international leaders emphasize that we must strive for gender equality through youth organizations, and social and economic opportunity. I can say with confidence that the future looks hopeful as I watched rooms filled with women amplifying each other voices, all aiming to elevate, empower and lean towards one another in our quest to ensure all women live a dignified life.” – Noella Muhamirizia, YWPL-DRC
 
Meet Lynrose Jane D. Genon:
 
 
Lynrose is a YWPL member from the Philippines. She represented the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)’s Young Women for Peace and Leadership program as one of the 16 youth-led networks that promote Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) and the United Nations Youth Strategy at the “16 x 16” Conference in Rome in May 2019. “16 x 16” is a new global initiative, supported by the Government of Italy, as part of UNDP’s Youth Global Program for Sustainable Development and Peace. 
 
“I realized that the barriers I face as a young woman advocating for meaningful participation are not limited to my experiences in my region, but similar to the challenges experienced by my fellow 16×16 delegates. We cannot advance youth development without meaningful inclusion of young people in the implementation of SDG 16. More is needed in terms of financial support of youth-led initiatives, data collection, and analysis, especially surrounding youth in fragile and vulnerable communities.” – Lynrose Jane D. Genon, YWPL-Philippines

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