Italy

Definitely women have a major role to play in peace-making and peace-building. As a consequence, a more systematic approach to gender mainstreaming should be taken in these processes. Practical guidelines based on lessons learned should be developed that indicate how to foster the full, active involvement of women in the rebuilding of institutions and of society. States should be urged to define national rosters of potential women candidates for positions in the areas of conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Japan

Women are concerned about the way that the peacemaking process is currently conducted; while women often organize at the grassroots level in order to promote peace, their access to the formal process continues to be limited. Why? One of the reasons, we believe, is that the actors concerned have not yet gained enough understanding about the advantages of having women involved in peace negotiations and the concrete results that such involvement can produce. With women's participation at the negotiation table, we will be able to integrate women's needs and perspectives into peace agreement and settlement. This way, we can ensure the central role of women in the subsequent peacekeeping and peace building processes and in post-conflict society.

Liechtenstein

In order for women to be heard and for their concerns to be taken into account they must be involved in peace negotiations. There is ample evidence that women are very active in informal peace processes. However, this is not the case in formal processes. All too often this is due to the fact that women are hardly represented in the official groups which are common players in settling a conflict, such as Governments, political parties, armed groups or militias. In addition, a lack of knowledge of the manner in which formal processes are conducted or of international legal and other standards is often put forward as an excuse for not including women in such formal processes.

Strengthening women's capacity as peacemakers must be pursued in parallel with increasing women's participation. At the same time, women need to be encouraged and empowered to hold decision making positions. Creating awareness of peace negotiations as a tool for achieving gender equality is essential. Against this background, Liechtenstein has consistently been advocating the appointment of women as special representatives and envoys of the Secretary-General. Such appointments could play a major catalytic role for the stronger involvement of women in peace processes, especially when they reach more formal stages. They would also strengthen the awareness of the need to mainstream gender issues not only into peace processes but also into other political processes. We are of the view that the number and consistency of such appointments should become an essential element for the review of the implementation of resolution 1325 and part of an overall assessment with regard to the nomination of women in upper echelons of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building.

At the same time we are aware of the need to provide the Secretary General with names of potential, well-qualified candidates for such posts. We therefore invite all interested States and NGOs to join forces in gathering the necessary information to make the appointment of women to such posts not only a high priority but a recurring reality.

Malaysia

We are disappointed that despite the adoption of Resolution 1325(2000) there seemed to be merely nominal increase, if at all, in the number of women participating in formal peace process. Women needs and concerns continued to be ignored in peace agreement and women organizations often not given the necessary support to enable them to influence lengthy peace negotiation. It is our hope that the adoption of the 2005 World Summit Document would provide new impetus leading to the actual realization of Security Council Resolution 1325(2000).

Philippines

In the Philippines, the gender dimension of conflict is being addressed, particularly in peace negotiations and peace and development efforts. To ensure that the voices of women are heard, the Government's peace panels included two women in the negotiating team.

The Philippine government ensures the full participation of women in local peace processes by building capacities and mobilizing peace constituencies. For example, women in indigenous communities are serving as intermediaries in local peace dialogues and as mediators in the restoration of broken peace pacts. They are also engaged in mobilizing community participation in the formulation of ancestral domain development plans and reconciliation processes.

Samoa (on behalf of Pacific Islands Forum)

There is a clear need for increased representation of women at all levels of
decision-making in conflict prevention, management and resolution. We hope to
see more women appointed to senior positions in peace operations in the future,
and to see Security Council support for such progress.

South Africa

As we look back at the five years of implementing resolution 1325, we realise that peace starts with women and for peace to be sustainable, we should ensure that women live more secure and productive lives and are able to fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms. We should recognise their invaluable roles and contributions as mediators, educators, peacemakers, peace builders and advocates for peace. Peace attained through participation of all is not just a silence of guns after war, but a sustainable effort at ensuring lasting peace and posterity.

Time and again, women have played a constructive and essential part in peace processes. They are gradually finding a place at the negotiating table, in the implementation of peace agreements, in post conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and disarmament. It is high time they were included in those processes in a more formalised way, at all levels and at all stages.

In addition to Resolution 1325 we already have instruments which recognise the role of women. We can use these to leverage the demand for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations. What is needed is the will.

Sweden

Special Representatives, Special Envoys and other emissaries involved in peace negotiations should have firm guidelines - from the Secretary General to enhance women's participation in peace processes and transitional structures. Any reason for not succeeding should be reported on. Such benchmarks could really make a difference. I ask you to compare the impressive level of female participation in the parliament of Afghanistan, with the much poorer results in the DR Congo. This does not reflect local conditions. It is rather the result of a determined policy of the UNAMA mission and its SRSG.

Tanzania

We have underscored, over the past five years, what should be the central role of women in conflict prevention, peace advocacy, negotiations and implementation of peace and security agreements.

United Kingdom

SCR 1325 draws attention to the central role that women play in conflict resolution. We have seen many examples of the negative impact of excluding women from peace processes. All too often women are unable to participate on an equal footing with men in peace negotiations, peace agreements and the development of a stable society. We have heard from a number of speakers today who have first hand experience of how important it is to include women at all stages of the peace process. Their inclusion, along with all society, helps to ensure wider support for the peace process itself, increases legitimacy and contributes to building a comprehensive and sustainable peace.

United States

The UN must acknowledge and strengthen the role of women in the peace process and we take seriously the challenge of bringing women, as equals of men, into the mainstream of decision-making in this regard. Owing to their particular experiences, we believe women can and do bring certain unique qualities and perspectives to the peace process. Women account for over 50% of the people in the world and therefore certainly represent a voice that needs to be heard.

The exclusion of women from important decision-making is still deeply ingrained in many societies. Changes to this way of thinking will require a conscious, deliberate effort by all of us, in order to further involve women in the peace process. Society not only dictates the need for women to be involved in the peace process-it demands it.

Italy

Women are not just the victims of armed conflicts. They are also combatants; leaders, negotiators, peacemakers, peacekeepers, and activists. Denying them their basic human rights is thus also a major obstacle to the reconstruction process.

The Security Council's already mentioned resolution formally acknowledges their crucial role in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts, at the national, regional and international levels.

The potential of women in the reconstruction phase is remarkably clear, for example, in Iraq. Women there have fought for decades to gain their rights-to vote, to work, to dress and to be educated as they chose. What they need now are assurances that they will not be excluded from the process of democratization to which they have so much to contribute. This is why Italy has just started an ambitious training programme for Iraqi women professionals.

Last but not least, women need to participate fully in post-war elections, which are a fundamental stage in reconstruction. Women must therefore be able to take part in them, on an equal footing, and be legally empowered to both vote and stand for election.

Japan

For successful peace building, including an initial phase of development and reconstruction, self-help efforts and ownership by the local population are indispensable. In order to foster such self-help efforts and local ownership and ensure women's participation in the process, women need to be protected and empowered. Protection and empowerment are the central components of human security.

Malaysia

Malaysia believes that more need to be done in order to achieve greater participation and effective contribution of women at the negotiating table and the involvement of women in developing and implementing post-conflict strategies and programmes. In this regard, my delegation encourages the Secretary-General to maintain regular contacts with women organizations and networks, to utilize their knowledge, expertise and resources and to ensure their system-wide involvement in reconstruction processes, particularly at the decision-making level.

Norway

Enhancing political participation should be of highest priority. The UN must be at the forefront in promoting women's participation in electoral processes. While there are no international standards on quotas or targets for gender-representation, there is clear evidence that where quotas are applied, either voluntarily or by law, they are an effective way of securing women's representation. The trend seems to be that many countries receiving electoral assistance themselves decide to apply quotas for the representation of women. Norway is confident that the UN has the necessary competence for assisting countries in this respect.

Much has been achieved with regard to gender mainstreaming, However, when it comes to peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, much remains to be done to honour the commitments made.

Romania

It is a matter of a whole new mentality, acknowledging that women embody political representation at all levels and in all societies and have the necessary knowledge, expertise and resources to participate in the advancement of their societies, through active contributions to DDR processes.

South Africa

The continued under-representation of women in formal peace processes and other persistent obstacles and challenges resulting from situations such as gender-based violence, poverty, lack of rule of law and various: forms of discrimination, prevent women's full and effective participation in conflict resolution. Conflict destroys the infrastructure and disrupts essential services. More must be done in order to achieve greater participation and effective contribution of women in developing and implementing post-conflict strategies and programs.

Time and again, women have played a constructive and essential part in peace processes. They are gradually finding a place a the negotiating table, in the implementation of peace agreements, in post conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and disarmament. It is high time they were included in those processes in a more formalised way, at all levels and at all stages.

Sweden

In the Secretary-General's report a number of gaps are identified. I would like to share a few ideas on how to potentially address some of them:
One: Threats to women's security prevent women from being actors. In August this year, the Swedish Government together with UNIFEM and ILAC hosted a Gender Justice partners meeting. The report from that meeting has been circulated as a UN document. It contains practical recommendations on how to integrate a gender equality perspective in post-conflict societies and thus to enhance the security and participation of women. We are committed to follow-up this process in co-operation with the Republic of South Africa.

Special Representatives, Special Envoys and other emissaries involved in peace negotiations should have firm guidelines - from the Secretary General, to enhance women's participation in peace processes and transitional structures. Any reason for not succeeding should be reported on. Such benchmarks could really make a difference. I ask you to compare the impressive level of female participation in the parliament of Afghanistan, with the much poorer results in the DR Congo. This does not reflect local conditions. It is rather the result of a determined policy of the UNAMA mission and its SRSG.

Tanzania

As an equal component of any society, women should have an equal and active participation in formulating political, economic and social policies. Equally, as victims of exclusion, vulnerable targets in conflicts, mothers and breadwinners, women have high stakes in conflict prevention, resolution, and all issues related to peace and security in society.

United Kingdom (on behalf of EU)

Women remain marginalised in the processes of peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. Achieving sustainable peace will not be possible unless we make progress towards sustainable development and we can not achieve sustainable development without the full involvement of women in conflict prevention and post- conflict peacebuilding. A strong commitment to conflict prevention and peacebuilding can only be met by a strong commitment to ensure that all members of society are able to take an active role in building peace. It is therefore only by assuring the full inclusion of women in the political process that we can guarantee just and peaceful societies.

One important way the UN can support women’s rights in post-conflict situations is by supporting legal systems to recognize and protect those rights. This is a significant role for the proposed new Rule of Law Assistance Unit. We hope the Unit not only helps the UN to give attention and resources to the establishment of the rule of law but also ensures women's access to and participation in justice.

Promoting both the ratification and implementation of CEDAW, human rights education for boys and girls, and ending impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender based violence, will create a safer and more sustainable environment for women's participation.

Italy

States should be urged to define national rosters of potential women candidates for positions in the areas of conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Liechtenstein

The fact that this resolution is one of only two Security Council resolutions which found explicit reference in the summit outcome document is a clear sign that its adoption five years ago was a landmark decision. The resolution has the potential to profoundly change the way this organization deals with conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-building.

Romania

The participation of women in conflict prevention and resolution is no longer narrowed to a matter of gender equality, and is no longer confined to a perspective of human rights, democratic practices or social justice. It is a matter of a whole new mentality, acknowledging that women embody political representation at all levels and in all societies and have the necessary knowledge, expertise and resources to participate in the advancement of their societies, through active contributions to DDR processes.

Samoa (on behalf of Pacific Islands Forum)

There is a clear need for increased representation of women at all levels of decision-making in conflict prevention, management and resolution. We hope to see more women appointed to senior positions in peace operations in the future, and to see Security Council support for such progress.

Tanzania

Equally, as victims of exclusion, vulnerable targets in conflicts, mothers and breadwinners, women have high stakes in conflict prevention, resolution, and all issues related to peace and security in society.

United Kingdom

Achieving sustainable peace will not be possible unless we make progress towards sustainable development and we can not achieve sustainable development without the full involvement of women in conflict prevention and post- conflict peacebuilding.

A strong commitment to conflict prevention and peacebuilding can only be met by a strong commitment to ensure that all members of society are able to take an active role in building peace. It is therefore only by assuring the full inclusion of women in the political process that we can guarantee just and peaceful societies.