STATEMENT OF JAPAN ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY, OCTOBER, 2015

(1) Addressing Violent Extremism
First, violent extremism has emerged as a new challenge. Women are its primary victims.
At the same time, they can become assailants by leading to extremism. Addressing the root cause of violent extremism is critical.
But how?

As the Secretary·General's report and the Global Study point out, the economic empowerment of and participation by women is key to resolving conflicts effectively, sustain peace, and prevent violent extremism from happening in the first place.

Let me show an example.

In cooperation with UN·Women, Japan has supported the refugees and IDPs in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon through training and cash·for·work programs.

We believe that women's engagement in peace and security, its empowerment and protection, will serve as bulwarks against the spread of extremist ideologies.

From this standpoint, Japan continues to respond to the current refugee crisis, and will carry out approximately 810 million dollars in assistance this year to refugees and !DPs from Syria and Iraq.

(3) Capacity Enhancement
Thirdly, we must not tolerate impunity for security-related personnel perpetrating violence against women.
It is urgent to involve national military forces, the police and judiciary sectors with the Women, Peace and Security agenda in countries under conflicts situation. Capacity enhancement for those sectors is key. The international community should mobilize every possible means for supporting this objective.

Japan will increase its assistance to the office of Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative for the Secretary-General in charge of sexual violence in conflict, which is making tremendous efforts in this regard.