Participation

The empowerment agenda is not an outsider's agenda; it is one that is arising organically from within those societies. Women, either individually or in civil society organizations, have demonstrated, often at great personal cost, their hunger and passion for change. And we know that change is both necessary and possible.

It may be objected that in the immediacy of a crisis there are other priorities requiring more urgent attention. But there is a clear message in the Secretary- General's report, that is, if a proper role for women is not built in at the key moment, it will become much harder to graft it on later.

In its recent statements on women and peace and security, the Security Council has recognized the primary role and responsibility of national Governments. That is indeed true, and we all recognize the importance of national ownership. But national ownership can never become a rationale or alibi for inaction by the rest of us.

While we have covered significant ground towards fully implementing resolution 1325 (2000), progress has yet to be made in implementing some key aspects of that resolution. We recognize that decisive action must be taken in the following areas. First, the number of women involved as United Nations peacekeepers needs to be increased in the future.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, the action plan will focus on creating greater awareness of the role of women in conflict resolution and eacebuilding processes, on strengthening the capacity of various stakeholders within Government and civil society organizations, and on building a strong participation in and ownership of the plan to ensure accountability in its implementation.

Two years ago, a number of women's civil society organizations, supported by the Indonesian Government, organized the Asian Women Peacemaker's Conference on the interfaith perspective in realizing the role of women peacemakers in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

In keeping with that message, Indonesia does not view women as merely passive victims of conflict situations. They are also agents and important contributors to the many dimensions of peacebuilding processes. Therefore, Indonesia is committed to implementing resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security and will work to ensure women's full participation at all levels in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

In conclusion, Indonesia wishes to further underscore the fact that women should not be confined to serving only as key building blocks of and instruments for peace and security, but also have the confidence and potential to be agents of change, skillfully reshaping and rebuilding communities affected by conflict.

First, States should prepare a national action plan to ensure implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) as part of their national agenda, strategy and commitment. That should be accomplished through detailed national policies. Secondly, States must undertake bureaucratic reform, in particular security sector reform, to support the prevention and resolution of conflicts from the inter-faith and women's perspectives.

At the outset, please allow me to join the previous speakers in expressing the appreciation of the Government of Indonesia for the convening of this open debate on women, peace and security. I would also like to thank the Executive Director of UN-Women and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for their important briefings.