Committee: UNWOMEN
Country: Belgium
Agenda Items: I: Strengthening International Action to
Prevent and Respond to Femicide
II: Discussion on gender-responsive measures to support
women’s protection and participation in recovery after the peacebuilding process in the
context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal country located in Western Europe and governed
by a democratic system. Belgium uses its advanced legal frameworks and social support
mechanisms to protect human rights. These systems play an important role in promoting gender
equality within society and ensuring a safe environment. The state considers women’s safety
and the prevention of violence as a fundamental government responsibility.
Femicide is a very serious human rights issue affecting women worldwide. This issue
often stems from domestic violence, unequal power relations, and gender-based discrimination.
Cultural norms, economic dependence, and limited access to justice frequently prevent women
from seeking protection or reporting abuse. While most femicide cases are committed by
intimate partners or family members, weak legal protection and a culture of impunity further
increase the risk.
Numerous resolutions and conventions have been adopted to protect women from
violence, and UN Women has launched various programs to prevent femicide. Belgium
supports these frameworks and actively participates in initiatives aimed at reducing violence
against women. However, despite all these efforts, femicide remains a serious global problem,
demonstrating that existing measures are still insufficient. In conflict settings, the weakening
of legal mechanisms and the increased risk of impunity make women more vulnerable to
violence and femicide.
Long-term crises such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict bring significant social and
economic challenges. In conflict environments, women face physical security threats, forced
displacement, risks of sexual violence and exploitation, and serious barriers to accessing
education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Under these adverse conditions, the
weakening of legal mechanisms and the rise in impunity further increase women’s vulnerability
to violence and femicide. International organizations such as the United Nations and UN
Women develop protection- and participation-focused programs to address these challenges.
Nevertheless, these ongoing difficulties highlight the need for more inclusive approaches,
stronger protection measures, and determined international cooperation.
Belgium believes that combating violence against women should not be limited solely
to punitive measures. Strengthening early intervention mechanisms, expanding protective
services for victims, and increasing public awareness are crucial for the prevention of femicide.
In this regard, Belgium supports the improvement of data collection processes and the
enhancement of state accountability in cooperation with UN Women and relevant United
Nations bodies.
In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Belgium emphasizes that the protection
of women and their active participation in decision-making processes during peacebuilding and
recovery phases are essential for sustainable peace. The implementation of gender-responsive
policies, the strengthening of protection services for women, and the support of local women’s
organizations should be among the key priorities in this process. Belgium advocates for the
strengthening of United Nations efforts in these areas and calls on the international community
to act in a coordinated manner.
Accordingly, Belgium calls for policies that place women’s protection and participation in
peace processes at the center to be made binding and sustainable at the international level.
Referances:
UN Women. (2026). Study Guide: Strengthening International Action to Prevent and
Respond to Femicide & Gender-responsive measures in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
MUNBU 2026.
United Nations General Assembly. Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against
Women. A/RES/48/104.
Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Belgium. Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
in Belgian Foreign Policy. Retrieved from [official government portal].
UN Women. Global Database on Violence against Women: Belgium.
United Nations Security Council. Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.