UNITED NATIONS – In the wake of "proliferating crises," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to defend and promote women's rights. "In this period of ever-increasing crises, the international community must rely on tried-and-true peace and stability tactics. Women's rights protection and promotion is one such policy "UN Secretary-General addressed a Security Council ministerial-level open debate on women, peace, and security.

As per reports, Guterres said the Women, Peace and Security agenda is "one of our best prospects" for a more peaceful future and a livable world, noting the good role regional organisations have played in protecting and furthering the vital agenda.

Despite the fact that gender equality is a way to long-term peace and conflict prevention, the UN chief claims the world is moving in the wrong direction.

"Today's wars are magnifying gender inequality, poverty, climate disruptions, and other forms of inequality," he added, emphasising how violence affects women and girls disproportionately, as well as the consequences of these cascading crises. Despite these circumstances, the number of girls who are out of school and have no possibilities for financial independence, as well as the number of women and girls who are victims of domestic abuse, continues to climb.

"It's critical to support survivors of sexual abuse, as well as women peacemakers and activists," he stated. "The evidence that ensuring women's rights, particularly their right to equal participation at all levels, is crucial to building and maintaining peace is expanding by the year." Furthermore, full gender equality must be achieved - including through quotas - in election monitoring, security sector reforms, and disarmament, demobilisation, and the justice system.

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