Participation

Uganda recognizes the progress that has been made by the United Nations and the wider international community towards enhancing the participation of women in conflict resolution, peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction. However, there are still situations in which conflicts continue to have a devastating impact on women and girls.

It is essential to empower women to enable them effectively participate in issues of peace, security and development. The Government of Uganda has taken a deliberate policy for empowerment of women through affirmative action initiatives.

At the regional level, through the African Union, East African Community, and the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, Uganda is committed to strengthening collaboration on enhancing women's participation and empowerment in conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution. We are convinced that women have an important role to play in ensuring durable peace, security, and development.

We believe that urgent action is needed to protect and empower women. Likewise, equally strong measures are needed to increase the participation of women in the work of peace, including post-conflict recovery efforts, as that will increase the effectiveness of such efforts. Indeed, we should not forget that women in post-conflict countries are not merely victims of war.

We believe that the Security Council has a special responsibility to support women's participation in peace processes by ensuring a gender balance in United Nations peacekeeping missions. We welcome the fact that the Council has already recognized the important role of women in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

Tunisia's interest in this subject arises from its long-standing commitment to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, a strategic choice made by my country upon gaining its independence in 1956 and which has become an integral part of its national development policy.

Moreover, women still have little access to decision-making positions. Their participation in peace and security processes remains far below desired levels, and the gender composition of peacekeeping missions is still unbalanced. In short, major gaps in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) remain to be addressed.

It should be recognized, however, that national ownership of the resolution is the key approach to ensuring its effective implementation.

It should be recognized that today there is greater awareness of sexual violence in conflict, as well as an increased focus on addressing it.

In conclusion, the tenth anniversary, which coincides with the launching of the African Women's Decade, provides an opportunity to reaffirm the spirit and core message of resolution 1325 (2000) that sustainable peace is achievable only with the full and effective participation of women.