Women cannot play this positive role unless they are given responsibilities w...

Women cannot play this positive role unless they are given responsibilities within the support structures for rebuilding the country. We are therefore welcome the participation of women in the facilitation and mediation processes for conflicts in countries such as the Central African Republic, Cyprus and Malawi. In this respect, we support the report of the Secretary- General, which encourages Member States and regional organizations that participate in peace processes to appoint more women as mediators, co-mediators and mediation advisors. I note in that respect that my country since 2006 has included a gender mainstreaming strategy in our development policies and programmes. This strategy, in its preamble and in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000), affirms the important role that women play in the prevention and settlement of conflicts and in peacebuilding, and emphasizes the importance of their participation on an equal footing in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security.