Participation

There must be more women in the United Nations system, also at the policy level

Our top priorities are increasing the participation of women in decision-making processes, protecting women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence with a zero-tolerance policy and ending impunity

We have made strides in addressing sexual violence in conflict, but we can and must do more to put an end to this scourge. Malaysia therefore reaffirms its strong commitment to efforts to address sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations. We will continue to work with others to advance the agenda and ensure the participation of women is mainstreamed in activities towards securing peace and security.

Nevertheless, justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence continues to be the exception to the rule, and holding perpetrators accountable has proven to be exceedingly difficult. Generally speaking, it is crucial that evidence be professionally collected at the earliest possible stage. That process may be assisted, inter alia, by the Justice Rapid Response initiative.

In conclusion, I want to underline the importance of the empowerment of women. Effective policies backed by action to accord them their due rights and equal opportunities will be critical to bolstering the overall work on preventing sexual violence against women and other citizens in conflict.

History has proven their credentials in creating peace. The policies of the United Nations system and outside it should therefore promote extensive measures to ensure the greater participation of women at all stages from conflict prevention to resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

At this juncture, Indonesia has deployed female peacekeepers in several missions, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and it is committed to increasing the number of its female peacekeepers.

They need a seat at the table at all levels of conflict prevention, peace negotiation, transitional justice and reconstruction. It is not enough to just let them be observers of decision-making processes. That is especially important not only at the local level but also in the national and international context. The United Nations needs to ensure that women are involved in all United Nations-led peace and reconciliation talks.

In efforts to achieve the active involvement of women, civil society organizations can play an important role. They can connect women's organizations and train women representatives and thereby empower women to take their rightful place in all decision-making processes.

First, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of the effective and meaningful participation of women, in the interest of promoting gender equality, which is the essence of resolution 1325 (2000), and of ending sexual violence. Women themselves know best what they and their children need in order to feel safe, to protect themselves and their families, and to rebuild their lives and their communities after a crisis.