Statement of Indonesia at the WPS Debate October 2016
Statement of Indonesia
Indonesia remains committed to working with Member States, the United Nations and other relevant actors to empower women and girls as agents for change for peace and security around the world. Conflict is painful. It is disfiguring and debilitating to anybody’s sense of humanity. Women who live in the midst of conflict are given no choice but to take charge when they lose their father, brother or husband. Resolution 1325 (2000) was a call to give notice to the important role of women as peace-brokers and catalysts for change. Foremost, it takes notice of women’s resilience, despite the odds they face in conflict. Through the four pillars of resolution 1325 (2011), women were recognized as actors, not bystanders, in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace. Resolution 2242 (2015), which was adopted last year, provides recommendations to better implement the agenda. Moving forward, there are some pertinent points to consider.
Statement of Indonesia
Thirdly, it is important to acknowledge the role of women, mothers and family in the prevention of radicalism and extremism and we need to work together to empower them. Fourthly, it is important to ensure that the work of the Security Council in women and peace and security complement the work of other relevant bodies and agencies within the United Nations system. We need to strengthen interaction and information flows across the entire system. Coordination among United Nations bodies should respect and make full use of their respective mandates and competencies, particularly those whose work is relevant in promoting women’s empowerment and gender equalities in all sectors, including the prevention of gender-based violence in conflict situations. Sexual
Statement of Indonesia
Coordination among United Nations bodies should respect and make full use of their respective mandates and competencies, particularly those whose work is relevant in promoting women’s empowerment and gender equalities in all sectors, including the prevention of gender-based violence in conflict situations. Sexual violence conducted by members of peacekeepers has been a particular concern. As an agent of peace, every peacekeeper should be held to the highest ethical and moral standards. Along this line, Indonesia supports the work of United Nations agencies in promoting zero tolerance of sexual violence and abuse in conflict. We urge United Nations agencies to strengthen their work with Member States in promoting global initiatives to protect women and children in armed conflict, such as the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative.
Statement of Indonesia
Fifthly, we need to strengthen the contribution of Member States in peacekeeping missions. Indonesian military and police forces are currently in 10 United Nations operations with close to 3,000 personnel in total, many of whom are female peacekeepers, who have expertise in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Indonesia’s Peacekeeping Training Centre has also incorporated gender perspectives into its programme so as to equip them in the field. The participation of women and girls in peacebuilding is a must and a prerequisite for sustainable peace. We need to address the problem of ensuring predictable and sustainable funding for women and peace and security. Setting specific numerical targets, such as allocating 15 per cent of peacebuilding funds to projects whose principal objective is to address women’s specific needs and advance gender equality, is a step in the right direction.