Title: Building Solidarity for Security and Just Peace in East Asia

(Proposed by YWCA KOREA)

1. Text of the motion

Since the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Great Power System have been intensified in East Asia. The polarized military alliance system between South Korea-US-Japan, and North Korea-Russia-China has intensified, and the arms race is reaching new extremes. The mechanisms of common security surrounding East Asia, now the world's powder keg, have become ineffective. In the midst of these disputes and armed conflict, women and girls are more vulnerable physically and economically and are exposed to double and triple violence.

In line with its Vision 2035, which envisions a sustainable movement of all women for a world without violence and war, the World YWCA will actively engage in the following campaigns for security and just peace in East Asia.

1) Support actions for peaceful settlements in East Asia and actively engage in related activities.

2) Build an East Asian network that advocates for the safety of women, girls and civil society in the region, and continue to work toward common security in East Asia.

2. Supporting evidence of the motion

1) As the new Cold War system accelerates in the wake of the war in Ukraine, East Asia, the region that saw the rise of empires in the 20th century and the fall of the Cold War, is becoming an axis of conflict. With North Korea’s accelerating nuclearization, military tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalating due to the military cooperation agreements between South Korea, the US and Japan, the Japanese government's attempts to revive militarism, concerns about the China-Taiwan conflict over the Taiwan Strait, and ongoing suppression of civil society in each country, the totalitarianism remaining in East Asian societies threatens democratic societies. Peace in East Asia is closely linked to the political and military situations of the US, China, Japan and Russia. There is an urgent need for civic solidarity and support for a just peace in the region.

2) In states of conflict and fragility, gender issues are even more acute. Gender inequality and sexual exploitation are exacerbated, and the educational status and social position of women and girls deteriorates. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 emphasizes the protection of women's human rights in situations of conflict, while also highlighting women’s agency in the process of Women, Peace and Security. UN Women is focusing on women's contribution and greater influence in building sustainable peace and disaster resilience. World YWCA Vision 2035 also emphasizes justice and peace sustained and promoted by women's leadership. Supporting women's human rights and empowering women through a gender perspective can help rebuild and sustain local communities in conflict situations. It is a key action for building as much peace as possible.

3) Civil society organizations that engage and connect across regions and borders have played a role in peaceful resolution of conflict situations. By building the Women’s Network for East Asia’s common security, it is more crucial than ever to lay the groundwork for an international civil society for just peace.

3. Strategies for aligning with the purpose and priorities of the

the World YWCA, and ways to contribute to the achievement of the shared Advocacy Roadmap 2022-2024 and Goal 2035.

- Prioritize the advocacy of young women and girls from a gender perspective in situations of support and cooperation with states of conflict and fragility.

- Aim for a gender-equal society alongside conflict resolution by supporting projects that protect the rights of young women and strengthen their capacities.

- Continue to ensure the strengthening of women's leadership and participation in the peace building processes.

4. YWCA Strategy and Specific Actions

(Strategies and concrete actions to be taken by YWCAs)

1) Oppose political and military actions that threaten peace, and actively stand in solidarity in actions for a just peace in East Asia. : Signing a peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula, defense of Japan's pacifist constitution, establishing a consultative peace system in the Taiwan Strait, activities to defend democracy in Burma, etc.

2) Join in protecting and supporting women vulnerable to war and armed conflict. : Launch a $1 fundraising campaign to support peace action.

3) Strengthen regional and international cooperation and build solidarity for common security in East Asia : Establish the Women’s Network for Peace in East Asia. Designate April 24th as the World YWCA Day for Peace Action and organize online campaigns, fundraising campaigns, education, etc.

5. Expected Outcomes and Results of the motion

- Reducing military tensions in East Asia

- Strengthening civil society peace solidarity in the region and among related countries

- Creating and spreading an atmosphere of peace in the international community

- Empowering women in peace and security

- Strengthening the participation and capacities of young women

6. The financial relevance of the local associations, national member associations to the World YWCA.

- Conducting the $1 fundraising campaign for Peace Action in each country to protect and support women vulnerable to war and armed conflict.

- Open a donation box on the World YWCA site

- Decide on fundraising support through the East Asian Women’s Network Consultation

7. Operating the World Y Congress Workshops

* Duration: 45 minutes in total

- Presentation: Sharing the situation in East Asia including the Korean Peninsula (Korea, 10 minutes)

- Status Sharing: Asian countries including Japan, Taiwan, and Burma (5 minutes each * within 4 locations)

- Q&A and discussion (10 minutes)

- Performance demanding a resolution (5 minutes)