Statement of Egypt at the WPS Debate October 2016
Statement of Egypt
This meeting is particularly important as it has been a year since the adoption of historic resolution 2242 (2015) and the issuance of the global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Despite the many gains achieved on the issues of women and peace and security during the past 16 years, there is only temporary progress.
Thirdly, we must strengthen the gender-based structure and gender-technical expertise within the framework of the United Nations system and provide assistance to States to build their capacities within that framework, including increasing financial resources to facilitate implementing the commitments of the women and peace and security agenda and resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2242 (2015).
Fourthly, it is important to coordinate all United Nations efforts, enlisting all its organs, including civil society, regional organizations and communities, to implement the recommendations of the global study. That would avoid any duplication, redundancy or controversy in carrying out such activities. We should ensure coherence, as well, between the implementation of the recommendations of the special review of resolution 1325 (2000) mandated under resolution 2122 (2013) and the recommendations included in other United Nations reviews. We should provide the necessary financial resources to establish the institutional framework, which will facilitate the follow- up to the implementation of such recommendations. In that regard, we look forward to the contributions of the Secretary-General designate to provide new proposals to develop an effective institutional framework to enhance the women and peace and security agenda in the United Nations.
Egypt recently joined the national focal point network for women and peace and security established by Spain, and participated in the foundational meeting of the network. At the regional level, Egypt has participated effectively in drafting an Arab regional strategy to implement resolution 1325 (2000) under the aegis of the League of Arab States and through cooperation with UN-Women. We have culturally tailored the women and peace and security agenda to the Arab context so that it addresses the specific situations of the Arab region, including in particular the plight of Palestinian women in the occupied territories and the role of women in combatting terrorism and extremist ideologies.
We call for a renewal of the political and moral commitment to empowering women in conflict and post-conflict areas. Women represent the primary component in the transitional stage from conflict to development and from a fragmented community, owing to armed conflict, to a healthy one capable of moving forward and providing sustainable peace.
Statement of Egypt
At the national level, Egypt is committed to providing gender-based training for its forces participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Other institutions are also playing a vital role in countering the adulterated religious opinions, including fatwas, issued by terrorist organizations in conflict areas, especially those affecting the status of women. Finally, the the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development provides assistance to regions in armed conflict, and we are sensitive to the gender dimension in providing assistance.
Statement of Egypt
Fifthly, the recent adoption by the Peacebuilding Commission of the gender strategy, as well as the Peacebuilding Fund’s allocation of some of its resources to empowering women in post-conflict States, represent important albeit preliminary steps to achieve the desired goal.
Statement of Egypt
Women and girls remain the primary victims in areas of conflict. In that vein, through its current membership of the Security Council, Egypt is committed to sparing no effort in supporting and developing the women and peace and security agenda and implementing resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2242 (2015), thereby ensuring the protection of women in areas of armed conflict and in other situations. It should also ensure its genuine participation in maintaining and building peace. In that regard, we look forward to cooperating with Secretary-General designate António Guterres.
First, it is important to strike a balance between the two main the pillars of the women and peace and security agenda: protection and participation. The international community must pay sufficient attention to providing and delivering the necessary protection to women in conflict and post-conflict areas, in parallel with promoting women’s participation, so as to ensure complementarity between both pillars. Providing protection to women is a necessary precondition for their effective participation during the post-conflict period.
Statement of Egypt
Secondly, the women and peace and security agenda continues to ignore the suffering of women under foreign occupation. Palestinian women continue to suffer under the yoke of Israeli occupation. Men are not effectively participating in the implementation of the agenda, which undermines its all-round credibility.