Statement of Malaysia at the 2016 WPS Debate
Malaysia Implementation
The high-level review and its accompanying global study of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) successfully renewed international momentum towards fully actualizing the involvement of women and leveraged their influence on matters of peace and security. Similarly, the adoption of resolution 2242 (2015) provided additional impetus for the Security Council to explore issues of women and peace and security more deeply, including in country-specific contexts through the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend Spain and the United Kingdom for their able leadership of the Informal Expert Group, which has enriched broader Council discussions. We commend the steps taken by Member States to adopt or review national action plans on women and peace and security and encourage their continued implementation. The establishment of a women and peace and security national focal point network is another useful platform for sharing information and experiences among Member States, including on national action plans.
While there has been some progress, we stress that much more can and must be done to fully utilize the women and peace and security agenda to resolve and prevent armed conflict. In our assessment, three key areas require more focus and attention, namely, peace processes, peacekeeping and policymaking.
Additionally, in implementing pledges on capacity- building made during the 2015 peacekeeping summit, the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre conducted three training courses in the first half of this year on the issues of gender, cultural diversity and the protection of civilians, the latter with the cooperation of the Government of Japan. The courses benefitted more than 40 military and civilian personnel. We hope to maintain and expand such training in the coming years.
Resolution 1325 (2000) recognized the need for gender perspective to be taken into account in political, security and humanitarian action. While there has been some progress in mainstreaming gender considerations in the work of the United Nations, notably the recent adoption of the Peacebuilding Commission’s gender strategy, there is still a long way to go in fully implementing such policies.
Malaysia Participation
We fully support efforts to increase and prioritize the participation of women at all levels in peace processes and mediation efforts.
We also share the assessment that the presence of women peacekeepers in conflict zones can facilitate interaction and confidence-building with local communities and affected populations, particularly women and children.
In addition to endorsing the three P’s — planning, pledges and performance — the London communiqué adopted by the United Nations peacekeeping defence ministerial meeting held last month also affirmed the commitment to increase women’s participation in uniformed roles. In that regard, I am pleased to share that, as of 16 September, Malaysia has increased from 26 to 40 the number of women military personnel deployed within our contingent under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
In that regard, Malaysia believes that increasing the number of women in decision-making positions contributes to the development and implementation of holistic and gender-inclusive policies that benefit the community, the State and the Organization as a whole.
The call made in resolution 1325 (2000) for increased representation of women at all decision-making levels remains as acute and relevant now as it was then, including within the United Nations. We continue to support the Secretary-General’s efforts to achieve gender parity within the United Nations, especially at senior decision-making levels.
In conclusion, the women and peace and security agenda aspires to restore the role of women and girls — one half of humankind — as effective actors with an equal stake in peace and security efforts. Our task will be complete only when women’s representation and participation in conflict prevention, management and resolution is axiomatic. Until then, my delegation offers its steadfast commitment and support to furthering the Secretary-General’s agenda. We hope that Secretary- General- designate Guterres will continue to build on the women and peace and security initiative begun under Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
Malaysia Peace Processes
The peace process in Colombia showed us how the significant involvement of women, both at the main peace talks in Havana and in regional and national consultations, was critical in supporting the successful conclusion of the initial peace agreement between the Government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia — Ejército del Pueblo. Increased access to gender expertise by international mediators and negotiating parties in the drafting of peace agreements, resulting in the inclusion of gender-specific provisions in a greater number of agreements, is another positive development that should be sustained.