WOMEN BREAK THROUGH THE CLOSED DOORS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 2000

The October 2000 open session of the UN Security Council on Women, Peace and Security marked the first time the Council had ever held such a thematic session on this issue. An open session is special, since all governments have an opportunity to speak, rather than the usual fifteen members of the Council.

The Council was addressed by more than 40 speakers, including Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said: "For generations, women have served as peace educators, both in their families and their societies," stressing that women have been instrumental in building bridges instead of walls.

Annan urged the council to do everything within its power to protect women and girls in conflict and to give them a role in peace building. UN Assistant Secretary-General Angela King, who is the world body's special adviser on gender issues and the advancement of women, also highlighted the absence of women in conflict resolution processes.

Noeleen Heyzer, executive director of the UN Development Fund for Women, added that peace processes suffer when women are not included. "[If] women are half of every community, are they therefore not half of every solution?" she asked. (Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children).

The United Nations Security Council discovered women in 2000 when it:

1. Issued a press statement on International Women's Day

2. Consulted with women's NGOs in an 'Arria Formula meeting;

3. Held an Open Session on the subject of Women, Peace and Security, hearing 41 speeches,

4. Unanimously passed a resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

Click HERE for a pdf version. Click HERE for a word version

Arria Formula

On October 23rd, the Security Council of the United Nations heard from representatives of non-governmental organisations in an Arria Formula meeting. (Ambassador Arria conceived of the mechanism whereby Security Council members could benefit from NGO expertise, and are thus called "Arria Formulas.")

Statements were delivered by the following women:

• Isha Dyfan, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Sierra Leone

• Luz Mendez, Union National de Mujeres Guatemaltecas

• Faiza Jama Mohamed, Equality Now

• Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, MP of Zambia, Federation of African Women's Peace Movements

• Statement of the NGO Working Group on Women and International Peace and Security

• NGO Statement to the Press & Press Release

Security Council Open Session

On October 24, 2000 the Security Council held an Open Session on Women, Peace and Security.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
Angela King, Secretary General's Special Representative on Gender Mainstreaming
Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director, UN Fund for Women (UNIFEM)


Statements of Security Council Members

• Argentina, Ambassador Arnoldo Listre
  
• Bangladesh, Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury
  
• Canada, Ambassador Paul Heinbecker
  
• China (in Chinese)
  
• France, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte
  
• Jamaica, Ambassador Patricia Durant
  
• Malaysia, Ambassador Hasmy Agam
  
• Mali, Mr. Sekou Kasse, Conseiller
  
• Namibia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab
  
• Netherlands, DPR Ambassador Alphons Hamer
  
• Russia (in Russian)
  
• Tunisia
  
• Ukraine, DPR Mr. Volodymry Krokhmal
  
• United Kingdom, Mr. John Graiger, Counsellor
  
• United States, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg
  
  

Statements of Non Council Members

• Belarus (in Russian)
  
• Bostswana, DPR Mr. Leutlwetse Mmulefe
  
• Croatia, DPR Jelena Grcic Polic
  
• Cyprus, Mr. Sotirios Zackheos
  
• D. R. Congo, Mr. Illeka Atoki, Conseiller
  
• Ethiopia, Ambassador Abdulmejid Hussein
  
• Guatemala
  
• India, Mrs Krishna Bose, MP of India
  
• Indonesia
  
• Japan, Ambassador Kiyotaka Akasaka
  
• Liechtenstein, Ambassador Claudia Fritsche
  
• Malawi, Ambassador Yusuf M. Juwayeyi
  
• Mozambique, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hipolito Zozimo Patricio
  
• Egypt (in Arabic)
  
• Nepal, DPR Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattariai
  
• New Zeland, Ambassador Mr. Michael Powles
  
• Norway, DPR Mr. Arne B Honningstad
  
• Pakistan, Ambassador Shamshad Ahmad
  
• Republic of Korea, Mr. Sun Joun-yong
  
• Rwanda, Ambassador Joseph W Mutaboba
  
• Singapore, Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani
  
• South Africa, Ambassador Dumisani S. Kumalo
  
• Tanzania, Ambassador Daudi N. Mwakawago
  
• United Arab Emirates (in Arabic)
  
• Zimbabwe, Ambassador Dr. Tichaona J. B Jokonya
  
  

Back to top