Participation

Latvia believes that women's political leadership and economic empowerment are key to ensuring women's participation in the prevention of conflict, conflict resolution and long-term recovery efforts. They are also part of UN-Women's main thematic prioritie and, as a member of the UN-Women Executive Board beginning in January 2013, Latvia will contribute to their implementation.

In order to increase the representation of women's civil society leaders in peace processes and post-conflict peace consolidation, formal arrangements — such as on the security of women human rights defenders, security prior to and during elections and childcare arrangements — and capacity-building in leadership, conflict analysis and negotiation skills should be provided.

In conclusion, let me reiterate Latvia's commitment to the promotion of gender equality and the participation of women and their civil society organizations at all levels and in different contexts of decision-making. We encourage further coordinated work by United Nations institutions and Member States in effectively implementatinig resolution 1325 (2000).

It is noteworthy that half of the field missions managed by the Department of Political Affairs have gender advisers. We fully support the process of including women's participation in field missions to ensure that programmes focus on the specific needs of girls and women as a means to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In designing peacebuilding strategies, we need to be more sensitive and take into consideration the knowledge and insights of local women at the grass- roots level. It is also important to gather information about the incidence of sexual violence, insecurity and human rights violations as perceived by women, and for women to be represented at all levels.

Advisers on gender issues must also consistently take account of and utilize the information gathered by local women's organizations. Every effort must be made to ensure that their perspectives are heard and considered by the highest decision-making entities and structures. It is equally important that women be fully represented in those bodies in field missions and all other platforms.

We cannot promote the participation of women and girls unless we ensure their full protection. The Security Council must be vigilant in that regard. The targeting of women human rights defenders is a matter of grave concern. The Secretary-General's report (S/2012/732) describes the use of sexual violence as a conflict tactic across a wide range of scenarios.

Italy recalls the Secretary-General's appeal to involve women's organizations from the early stages of conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. That should become standard practice. Women leaders also have an important role to play in transitions, including in the drawdown of United Nations and international missions, when the previous gains in gender equality can be at risk.

To make just a quick point in relation to civil society, the Secretary-General's report makes specific mention of one model for civil society engagement, namely, the election “situation room”. It was my privilege recently to co-host at the Irish Mission a panel discussion on the contribution made by the women's situation room to ensuring peace and stability during the Senegalese presidential elections held earlier this year. Ms.

The first point relates to transitions. The Secretary General's report of 2 October bluntly states that “considerable obstacles persist to women's participation and representation in public decision-making in relation to peace and transition processes” (S/2012/732, para. 65). Times of transition are absolutely critical; as a society is being reshaped, opportunities can be either seized or squandered.