Statement of Romania at the 2016 WPS debate
implementation
Last year, resolution 2242 (2015) recognized the need for greater integration of the agenda of resolution 1325 (2000) into the Council’s work. In that regard, Romania welcomes the creation of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security.
Resolution 1325 (2000) contributed to adapting the United Nations peacebuilding architecture to new challenges. Consequently, at the end of an extensive intergovernmental process, a new concept — that of sustaining peace — was endorsed by the States Members of the United Nations and formalized by two identical resolutions adopted on 27 April 2016: Security Council resolution 2282 (2016) and General Assembly resolution 70/262.
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Data show that when women are included in peace processes, there is a 20 per cent increase in the probability of an agreement lasting at least two years and a 35 per cent increase in the probability of an agreement lasting at least 15 years. The building of peace is a continuous process that requires broad popular support and the participation of all layers of society. Every generation has to rediscover the value of peace and build on previous generations’ achievements in preserving it. Peace is built every day by teachers in schools, by youth on sports fields and by employees in their workplaces.
Evidence has shown the nexus between gender mainstreaming, sustaining peace and civic engagement. For example, seven out of 10 peace agreements signed in 2015 included gender-specific provisions.
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Women are now deployed in all areas of peacekeeping and special political missions as part of the missions’ police, military and civilian personnel. More security personnel have been trained to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence.
The Romanian Ministry of Defence has adopted a national plan applicable until 2024, aimed at implementing the women and peace and security agenda. It promotes fair and balanced access for men and women, whether military or civilian personnel, to operational, executive and leadership posts at all hierarchical levels. The selection of candidates is a process evaluating professional skills, with no gender specification. A focal point on gender is appointed within all Romanian military units. As a result, we have women who have reached the rank of General, and there is an increased number of military female staff participating in international missions. Gender equality, tolerance, non-discrimination and interdiction of sexual harassment and gender violence are reflected in all military education programmes in Romania. Romania continues to deploy mixed-gender teams, especially within the civil and military cooperation units in Afghanistan. Currently, 15 per cent of Romanian police officers deployed in United Nations missions are women.