Participation

During our ethnic conflict, a group of women from multi-ethnic backgrounds gathered under their own initiative to approach and speak to militants on both sides. As mothers, they used their respective cultural norms to draw militants' attention to the social and human consequences of their actions. In so doing, they gained their trust and confidence in order to provide essential items across conflict lines.

In the past 10 years, many activities have been carried out to strengthen the role of women during and after conflict. However, this anniversary reminds us that despite those efforts, much needs to be done in the protection of women and in the promotion of the participation of women at the decision-making level, in conflict resolution and in peace processes.

Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security acknowledged that women are not just victims of armed conflict and that their equal and full participation is of vital importance in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.

Today, we can boast of a national action plan launched by President Koroma on 8 June, which was developed through a process that has been acclaimed by many as highly participatory and inclusive. This comprehensive plan includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that all actors are accountable for its full implementation.

Increasing the participation and representation of our women in peace and security programmes within a democratic governance structure for us is key. To ensure that the role of women in the local Government machinery is enhanced, the Local Government Act stipulates gender parity at the municipal level.

From our own experience, sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full and effective participation of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace processes, and post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. A few weeks ago, the Security Council itself acknowledged the efforts that Sierra Leone is making towards the prevention and resolution of conflict and in peacebuilding.

The Rwandan Government officially launched, on May 17th this year, a national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) for the period 2009-2012.

Last week, my country deployed a delegation of 90 women police officers to the Sudan as reinforcements for their brothers there and ensure that they promote best practices, from which Rwandan women have also benefited.

In line with our action plan and with the reinforcement of women's participation in decisionmaking organs relating to peace and security, I am proud to say that we have advanced in terms of women's participation, with a high level of representation of women in parliament — 56 per cent. This extends into the lower echelons such as local government, the judiciary and the private sector.

In the 10 years since the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000), that instrument has become an effective reference for protecting women in conflict and enhancing the role of women in the prevention and settlement of conflict and in post-conflict recovery. Regrettably, women and children continue to be victims of deliberate attacks, including terrorist acts and other violations of international humanitarian law.