Participation

In South Sudan, we are very concerned about the recent reports from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan of targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and hate messages calling for sexual violence against people on the basis of the community they belong to. We are also concerned about women's participation in conflict prevention, resolution, protection and peacebuilding processes.

A book entitled — which means “sunny” in English —published in Croatia in 2011, contains the testimonies of imprisoned women against whom the crime of rape was committed during the war in Croatia. Sunny has also become a strong civil movement in Croatia during recent years, with courageous women finally breaking the social and intimacy barriers that occur in cases of war-time rape.

Fifthly, I should like to emphasize the active role of two women, plenipotentiaries of the Government of Colombia in the peace process. They represent a necessary complementary perspective in the decision-making process to put an end to conflict in my country.

I can assure the Council that Canada remains committed to women's political and economic empowerment as essential elements in efforts to address and prevent conflict-related sexual violence

Canada continues to call for support for women's civil society organizations, particularly those assisting survivors of violence to ensure their health, safety and dignity, and those amplifying women's participation in decision-making processes.

During a recent trip to Guinea-Bissau, in my capacity as Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, I was impressed by the contribution that women's organizations have made to forging a more inclusive political culture in the country.

Involving women in conflict prevention and mediation and the deployment of women's protection advisers to United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions is crucial to building and reinforcing peace

The number of victims of sexual violence during armed conflict in Africa is staggering, and tackling the issue of conflict-related sexual violence is one of the critical areas of concern in my new mandate, requiring urgent and effective action at the community, national, regional and international levels. Additional areas of my mandate relate to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and women's participation in peace processes.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has made the protection of women's right across the continent a priority, and she is committed to promoting and working to achieve gender equality. She is also making sure that the Commission has a 50/50 workforce parity, in line with the gender policy adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2009.

In January I assumed my mandate as Special Envoy of the African Union Commission Chairperson on Women, Peace and Security. With that appointment, I recommitted to continuing to work closely with the women of the African continent. I resolved to amplify their voices and concerns within the African Union and other decision-making bodies, and to ensure that women assume their rightful role in ensuring peace and security in Africa.