Statement of Croatia

Nearly 16 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the international community has undertaken substantial efforts to implement it, and undeniable progress has been made, including action plans, guidelines, programmes and training. Awareness has been raised of the need to include women in conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding and decision-making. However, the high-level review of resolution 1325 (2000) mandated under resolution 2122 (2013), which took place in October 2015, has shown that the protection of women in armed conflict, parallel to the enhancement of their contribution to peace processes and in rebuilding their communities, continues to be a crucial challenge.

Member States have the primary responsibility to ensure that global commitments and obligations concerning women and peace and security are integrated into domestic policies and laws. In that regard, more cooperation between Member States would certainly advance the women and peace and security agenda and improve its implementation. That is why Croatia strongly supports the establishment of the InterAgency Network on Women and Gender Equality under the aegis of the Office of the Focal Point for Women in the United Nations. We are convinced that the Network can greatly assist Member States and regional organizations in improving and strengthening the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, thereby complementing other existing regional and United Nations initiatives, such as those of the Group of Friends of Women and Peace and Security in New York and Geneva, different regional task forces and civil society.

Under the action plan, Croatia is also undertaking efforts to provide gender-sensitive development assistance, such as assistance for women and girls in Afghanistan in the areas of education, women’s reproductive health and small businesses.