Statement of Sweden at the General Assembly Debate, September 22, 2016
Statement of Sweden, September 2016
More than 50 years of conflict. Hundreds of thousands killed. Millions on the run. Let us pay our respects to the victims. Let us welcome the peace agreement. But let us also remember what is unique about this agreement. The architects were not only the government and the guerrilla. Victims of the conflict, women's organisations and civil society were also involved. Peace does not come about because it is printed in a headline. It happens step by step.
Statement of Sweden, September 2016
We bring our foreign policy perspectives with us to execute this assignment: preventing armed conflict, sustaining peace, the necessity of including women in peace processes, and an understanding of security that stresses the links to sustainable development. Swedish foreign policy rests firmly on international law, respect for human rights, gender equality and a humanitarian perspective.
Statement of Sweden, September 2016
As a government proudly pursuing a feminist foreign policy, we call for a true shift in the way we approach global gender equality work. Of course, UN Women has a key role. But so do we, as member states. It is ultimately our task to enhance rights, representation and resources for women and girls all around the world. To increase women's participation in peace processes; secure protection against gender-based violence in humanitarian crises; and strengthen women's political and economic empowerment. The UN can lead the way.
By improving the gender balance in the UN system and having a gender-responsive budget of its own - not only recommending it to national governments. By using gender-disaggregated data when dealing with matters of peace and conflict, including in the Security Council - not only advising it for national action plans on 1325.