Discuss the topic of narrowing the gap in widow protection

At the meeting, member countries of the Security Council, representatives of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the Global Fund for Widows shared the reality and challenges that more than 350 million widows are facing, emphasizing the need to remove barriers and prejudices against them, as well as the need to raise general awareness of the role and contributions of widows in the context of conflict and post-conflict. At the same time, countries also exchanged and discussed measures at the national and international levels to better support widows.

Scene of a meeting at the United Nations Security Council. Photo: AFP

Speaking at the discussion, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the United Nations Nguyen Phuong Tra said that although widows have not received enough attention in conflicts, widows have important capacities and roles in the family, in peace building and community healing.

To ensure greater benefits and care for widows, the representative of Viet Nam said that it is necessary to raise awareness of the role, needs and legitimate interests of widows. Communities need to remove barriers and stigma against them and their children, and instead, see them as potential agents of change and peace-building in conflict.

The representative of Viet Nam stressed that countries and parties involved in conflicts must ensure the security and safety of widows and their children, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. Widows’ rights to inheritance, property, land, education, health care and other equal rights during and after conflict need to be given due attention. Widows also need to be given equal opportunities to participate in decision-making and peace processes.

Regarding international cooperation, the representative of Viet Nam recommended that countries and international and regional organizations collect statistics and prepare reports on the challenges of widows to form the basis for the development of relevant programs and policies. At the same time, he recommended that the UN Secretary-General have a separate section on the situation of widows in the Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Women, Peace and Security.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese representative reaffirmed that Vietnam always strives and commits to coordinate with the international community to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women in relevant processes./.