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RESOLUTION 1325
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On the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women,
Peace and Security
Ambassador John D. Negroponte, United States Representative to the
United Nations, in his National Capacity in the Security Council,
29 October 2003
I would now like to offer a statement in my national capacity.
The United States vigorously supported the adoption of Security Council
Resolution 1325 , and we continue to pursue its goals, particularly
through the Friends of Security Council Resolution 1325, so ably energized
by the Canadian Delegation.
We therefore scheduled today’s meeting to take stock of progress
made, to see what can be done to continue to advance implementation,
and to provide an operational perspective on implementation.
The two presentations that started off our discussion today have given
us valuable information followed by a useful and thought-provoking
debate. I thank Mr. Guéhenno and Ms. Smythe for joining
us today.
We heartily commend the efforts of the Secretariat, the Gender Advisers,
member states, civil society and others on their insight and accomplishments,
but we clearly have work to do before we can say that Security Council
Resolution 1325 has been fully implemented.
I address this point to everyone – the members of the Security
Council, other member states, parties to conflict, and of course,
every department and office in the Secretariat. Although we
called upon the DPKO to provide today’s report, we have not forgotten
about the responsibilities and contributions of the other United Nations
Departments, including the Department of Political Affairs, the Department
of Disarmament Affairs, the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender
Issues and UNIFEM among others. For our part, we in the Security Council,
where appropriate, include references to gender and 1325 in our resolutions,
mission mandates and reports, although there have been comments throughout
the course of the day that perhaps we do not do this sufficiently.
My government’s support for Security Council Resolution 1325
and the principles it embodies are part of a larger United States
commitment to advancing the rights of women more broadly at home and
around the world.
We envision a world in which participation in all aspects of civic
life by both men and women is free and whole. With respect to
1325’s focus, it is literally impossible to understand conflicts
and then frame and implement policy responses to those conflicts without
overcoming the inertia that too often sidelines, sidetracks, and silences
half the world’s population.
No approach to peace can succeed if it does not view men and women
as equally important components of the solution.
The United States therefore is placing great emphasis on the role
of women in resolving conflicts and building peace in countries that
desperately need their vision and full participation. That is why
we are investing heavily in bringing women into the equation in post-conflict
areas where their voices have been muted.
For example, the Office of the Senior Coordinator of International
Women’s Issues in the United States Department of State lists
nearly 175 projects dedicated to women’s political, economic
and social development in Afghanistan. These include:
A $2.5 million grant to build Women’s Resource Centers in 14
provinces, as well as an additional $1 million for educational and
training programs on topics ranging from employment to human rights
education and political participation skills;
Grants to support women’s political participation and potential
female candidates in Baghlan, Sar-I-pul, Kapisa and Wardak provinces;
and
An advocacy-training program held in the United States for Afghan
women political activists in preparation for the Loya Jirga.
We look forward to the Council’s upcoming trip to Afghanistan
as an opportunity to see firsthand what kind of progress women in
Afghanistan have made and to continue to urge their involvement in
the post-conflict reconstruction of their country. I am pleased to
have heard Minister of State Müller confirm Germany’s commitment
to this aspect of the Council’s visit.
In Iraq , we are promoting women’s inclusion in the building
of civil society. The CPA-Governance team has, in fact, held dozens
of meetings with Iraqi women on a range of issues including constitutional
and legal reform, security, human rights, education and health, among
others.
And in May, the CPA Administrator Ambassador Bremer personally met
with Iraqi women representing a range of backgrounds to discuss the
future of Iraq. He encouraged them to form a steering committee,
and as a result, on the 9 th of July, more than 70 women—experts
in law, education, health, human rights and economics — participated
in a day of workshops, “The Voice of Women in Iraq.” U.S.
Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, gave
the keynote address and delivered a personal message from President
Bush, who commended the women attending the conference for “their
strong commitment to creating an Iraq where the benefits of freedom
are available to all citizens.” Representatives from the United
Nations and United Nations Agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF and UNIFEM,
which do such important work on these issues, also participated and
contributed.
There is also some remarkable work being done at the U.S. supported
Fatima Center for Women in Hillah, where another important meeting,
entitled the Heartland of Iraq Women’s Conference took place
just this month. Over 150 women attended from the five south-central
provinces including women involved in the establishing of women’s
centers and organizations in their communities.
And in addition, the United States is working to strengthen community-based
groups in Iraq to foster citizen participation in the local policy-making
process. In this regard, our funding for women’s organizations
has helped them build their capacity to promote women’s issues
at interim advisory councils across Iraq and to organize workshops
for Iraqi women to discuss reforms in such areas as matrimonial laws,
the prevention of violence and abuse against women and equal opportunities
in education and employment.
Reinforcing these efforts, the Coalition Provisional Authority and
USAID are cooperating with the Baghdad District Advisory Council Women’s
Committee, the Baghdad Women’s NGO Coordinating Council and Women
for Women International to conduct on-site assessments for the establishment
of nine women’s training and education centers across the city.
As Ms. Smythe has noted, women are among the most disadvantaged members
of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo, another strife-torn
nation. To help women in the DRC, we have funded programs through
the International Human Rights Law Group to support local organizations
attempting to end sexual violence against women. USAID has also
granted $500,000 to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for a
program to counsel women and help them deal with the consequences
of rape in North and South Kivu.
These are but a few examples of our programmatic emphasis on implementing
1325 in letter and spirit. As a further manifestation of our
resolve—shared by many of the countries present here today—the
United States has sponsored a resolution on “Women and Political
Participation” during this year’s General Assembly. Our
resolution outlines a series of practical steps that states and other
actors can and should take to increase women’s participation
in politics and decision-making. It also specifically
mentions 1325 and urges states and the United Nations to increase
women’s participation in conflict resolution and peace processes.
I would also like to draw your attention to another issue that has
a significant impact on women, particularly in conflict situations.
We know that, each year, hundreds of thousands of women
and children fall victim to the sex trade.
As President Bush said to the General Assembly last month,
“Nearly two centuries after the abolition of the transatlantic
slave trade, and more than a century after slavery was officially
ended in its last strongholds, the trade in human beings for any purpose
must not be allowed to thrive in our time.”
The United States Government has therefore committed $50 million dollars
to support organizations that are rescuing women and children
from exploitation, and giving them the hope of a new life.
In this regard, I would especially like to thank Under-Secretary Guehenno
for his update on the current DPKO response to trafficking of women
as it affects peacekeeping operations and note that we are looking
forward to the “lessons learned” study he has under way.
We also are pleased to hear that DPKO intends to fill the Gender
Adviser post in Headquarters soon.
I would just conclude by saying that while we have made progress,
there is indeed much more work to be done. I echo many of the questions
that my colleagues have raised. My government and my Mission will
continue to support and push for implementation of this landmark resolution.
And now resuming my duty as President of the Council.
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