Women’s Participation Makes Peace and Security More Durable and Inclusive: Irene Khan

New York, 28 October 2026: Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Irene Zubaida Khan has called for meaningful women’s participation in peace processes and decision-making emphasising that grassroots initiatives are vital to preventing violence and building lasting peace.
Speaking at the UN Security Council’s open debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on Wednesday, Ambassador Khan recalled Bangladesh’s role as a key co-sponsor of Security Council Resolution 1325 and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the WPS agenda.
She highlighted Bangladesh’s National Action Plan on WPS, introduced six years ago. Following the completion of its first phase, Bangladesh is now implementing the second phase, with consultations involving stakeholders, particularly civil society and women’s groups, remaining a key feature of the process.
Ambassador Khan underscored the importance of training and sensitising girls and young women on violence prevention and supporting their active participation in community-level mediation. She stressed that grassroots efforts can prevent disputes from escalating into wider conflicts, noting that Bangladesh is prioritising these initiatives through government and NGO programmes.
She also called for greater investment in women’s organisations and human rights defenders, protection for women in conflict-affected settings, and predictable, sustained financing for peace operations and vulnerable communities.
Emphasising a gender-centred approach to security, Ambassador Khan stressed that women must have a meaningful voice in peace negotiations, political leadership and decision-making. She urged the international community to translate WPS commitments into concrete action to advance inclusive and sustainable peace.

-Press Release