Participation

It is essential that we not forget those most affected by conflict. A commitment to peace requires a commitment to the protection and empowerment of all members of a society, especially women and girls. A society's development is inextricably tied to the engagement and leadership of women. Peace cannot exist when the rights of half of the population are compromised. Peace cannot exist when the rights of women are compromised.

Regional organizations can also play a role. The African Union's recent decision to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate events surrounding the current conflict in South Sudan is an example.

We welcome the adoption of resolution 2122 (2013) today, which joins other efforts of the Security Council to carry out a systematic follow up to the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda and to move towards the full participation of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

The natural synergy between participation and protection is probably the central aspect of resolution 1325 (2000). The role of women in bringing peace and security to conflict situations and their greater participation in post-conflict processes and in transitional justice is crucial to laying the groundwork for sustainable peace.

In that context, we would like to point out that Uruguay has been in the vanguard when it comes to including women into the armed forces, as reflected in the number of women deployed by the armed forces and by the national police in Uruguayan contingents to peacekeeping missions.

This plan is backed by leaders across the U.S. government. President Obama is personally determined to change the DNA of the U.S. government so that this inexorable link between women's inclusion and lasting peace is a premise or an axiom brought to every policy discussion.

Security Council resolution 1325 was a landmark measure. It affirmed the principle that women's participation in conflict prevention, mitigation, and recovery is vital to the maintenance of international security and peace. Not a sideshow, but vital.

Less impressive, however, is the level of women's participation in police and military deployments. The figures of ten percent and three percent respectively remain well below the modest target of twenty percent that had been set for next year. Just as disappointing, only four of the twenty seven peace-related field missions are led by women.

And of course Madame Balipou, not only for her remarks and for undertaking an arduous journey to be with us here today, but for advocating with such eloquence on behalf of women's participation, and on behalf of the rule of law, which go very much together, in the Central African Republic and beyond, what you do takes courage, and we commend you for it.

"We know, as well, that what begins as a single voice can sometimes become a mighty chorus. And like many of you, I recently had the honor of meeting Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani with the soft smile and the steel spine as well as the powerful message of inclusion.