On March 8, 2021, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the UN, Ambassador Ion I. Jinga, delivered a statement in the Security Council Open Arria-formula Meeting “Call to Lead by Example: Participation of Women in UN-led Peace Processes” co-hosted under the US Presidency of the Security Council, by the Permanent Missions of Ireland, Mexico, Estonia, France, Kenya, Niger, Norway, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, Viet Nam, the United Kingdom the United States.

In his statement, Romania's Permanent Representative to the UN pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in gender-based violence and stereotypes, and suspended some of the vital work previously done to empowering women. 

Recalling that the President of Romania, S.E. Mr. Klaus Iohannis, is one of the ten heads of state in the world who act as Champions of the HeForShe global movement for gender equality, he said: “Romania strongly supports the efforts carried out by the UN Secretary-General, Antonió Guterres, through his initiative Action for Peacekeeping, and the subsequent Strategy on Gender Parity 2021-2028. Romania also co-sponsored the resolution 2538 on Women in Peacekeeping Operations adopted last August by the UNSC.  At the same time, my country is one of the states that joined the UN Secretary-General's Call on Gender-based Violence and COVID-19.”

Ambassador Jinga noted that the Romanian Government adopted the National Strategy and the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for the period 2020-2023, while the Ministry of National Defence was designated as the National Focal Point for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: “Romania promotes fair access for women – military or civilian personnel – at all hierarchical levels, to both leading and executive positions. Women participate in military operations and there are no restrictions on their presence in combat roles, operating in hostile environment, or in any permanent or temporary missions abroad. Many Romanian women peacekeepers made outstanding contributions during their missions under the UN flag. They were awarded distinctions and they were entrusted with positions of high responsibility, thus fully acknowledging their merits and professionalism.”

The Romanian Ambassador also recalled that in 2018, under Romania’s Chairmanship, the Peacebuilding Commission had on its Annual Session agenda the theme of “Empowering youth and women as agents of peacebuilding and sustaining peace in the Sahel region”.  

Note: An Arria formula meeting is an informal meeting of the UN Security Council members which must be convened by a member of the Council in order to take place. It allows the participation of countries which are not members of the UNSC, of international organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals who are invited to engage in direct dialogue with UNSC members on a specific theme of interest for the Council.

Editor's Note: The article was taken from the Permanent Mission of Romania to the United Nations.