Yet, as recent experience has shown, periods of transition offer a unique opp...

Yet, as recent experience has shown, periods of transition offer a unique opportunity to break the cycle of women's marginalization and make significant gains in women's participation. We need to address factors discouraging women's candidacy and equal electoral participation, and security for women in elections. Provisions on women, peace and security should be included in peace negotiations as early as possible. We warmly welcome the concrete targets the Secretary- General has set for women and mediation, especially that of appointing a female United Nations chief mediator.