Statement of Namibia on the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
Today this debate is very important as it gives us the opportunity to review progress made since 2000. No doubt same remarkable progress has been made both at national and global levels. I therefore, believe as nations we have a lot to share around resolution 1325. Though the resolution is known as the one on Woman, Peace and Security, the main element is the importance ofworld peace. Therefore, the full and equal participation o f women at all level as subjects o f peace making and peace building is very central to sustainable world peace, for sustainable development to be achieved.
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
The successes ofthis landmark resolution, has raised international awareness, on the unique and grave issues that girls and women face during and after conflicts. It has undoubtedly increased international commitment on women empowerment at national and global levels. Since the adoption o f this resolution and the subsequent ones, we have not only seen the number o f women raising to positions of political leadership, but also in security forces over the last decade. At the same time, the number o f women in UN peacekeeping Missions has also increased.
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
This is an area the Global Study gives evidence that, when controlling for other variables, peace processes that included women as witnesses, signatories, mediators, and/or negotiators demonstrated a 20 per cent increase in the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years. This percentage increases over time, with a 35 per cent increase in the probability ofa peace agreement lasting 15 years. While I quote these numbers for you from the study, this has been a personal experience for Namibia since we emerged from armed liberation struggle 25 years ago. Women's meaningful participation in our post-conflict reconstruction has been pivotal to the peace and stability in our country today.
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
It is our belief that the significant presence of women peacekeepers in conflict and post-conflict areas has an added advantage of creating safer spaces for girls and women who have suffered sexual violence. Studies conducted by the UN in support of resolution 1325, from experience in operations in Cambodia, Kosovo, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Liberia and the DRC, have also demonstrated that female soldiers do not face the same cultural restrictions as their male counterparts, and are able to gain information from women and children. This ability to gain the trust of local populations should be considered a vital component of any peacekeeping operation.
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
Those charged with leading and supporting peace processes, especially the UN Department of Peace Operations and regional bodies, should be committed to bring talented women to the peace processes where negotiations are conducted; and peace agreements signed and implemented. There is a need for the Security Council to move the agenda forward from the general calls to concrete directives on how the peacekeeping department should promote the participation of women as Special Envoys, Special Representatives, Peacekeepers, Mediators and Negotiators.
Statement of Namibia, October, 2015
Finally, Namibia welcomes the holding of the 2015 High Level Review, and the report of the Global Study, that has reviewed the progress made at the national, regional and global levels on the implementation ofResolution 1325. The Global Study, which will be launched tomorrow, will contribute to a global vision and strategies we need to make Resolution 1325 a powerful tool for peace and security. The study must present us with concrete and action oriented programs with measurable targets and indicators that will guide future implementation of the resolution. It will be in the interest ofworld peace ifmember states are to use this Study as a blueprint and to examine seriously, their national policies and where they stand to benefit from this Study.