TANLAP PARTICIPATED ON SIDE EVENT ORGANIZED BY INTERNATIONAL IDEA AND CANADA

On March 19, 2025, TANLAP participated in a fruitful discussion at a side event organized by International IDEA and Canada, themed “Constitutional Transformations: Women’s Participation in Constitution-Making and State-Building in Times of Conflict and Transition.”

Ambassador Bob Rae, the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York and President of ECOSOC, emphasized that equal participation is essential in the constitution-making process, political decision-making, and democratic processes. He explained that the involvement of women, particularly Indigenous women, in decision-making and peace-building has proven to yield positive results and changes. Therefore, it is crucial to continue advancing the women’s agenda. He elaborated that a society that places women at the center of political and democratic processes is a progressive society, making it vital to maintain women’s perspectives in peace-building, constitution-making, and political processes. He concluded by stating, “We cannot establish a stronger democracy until women are actively involved in decision-making and the transition to peace and democracy.” He called upon governments to ensure that the involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) is not an option but a necessity for promoting democratic processes in their countries.

This side event has been vital for TANLAP as it shapes its annual plan, which includes interventions for engagement and involvement in democratic processes to enhance access to justice in light of the upcoming 2025 General Election, as well as peace-building and constitution-making efforts.