Participation

We are appreciative of the various notable efforts in a broad range of areas that the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other actors have made towards implementing resolution 1325 (2000). But there are many areas in which our concerted efforts are still much needed. My delegation wishes to see an increased number of women in high-ranking positions in the United Nations system, as well as peacekeepers in the field.

The Government of Nepal has adopted various measures to fight gender-related violence, establishing a toll-free hotline in the Office of the Prime Minister, a gender violence prevention fund, and gender violence control committees in every district in the country.

My Government attaches great importance to resolution 1325 (2000), and we are in the final stage of preparing our national action plan for the effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). As a nation emerging from conflict and moving towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity, Nepal is fully aware of the benefits of effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

As enshrined in its interim Constitution, Nepal is committed to setting aside 33 per cent of seats in Parliament for women. We are also committed to continuing an affirmative action policy in our civil service with a view to bringing women into the decision-making levels of the public sector. We are also committed to increasing women's participation in our army and police forces.

We will continue encouraging nations to develop national action plans and to promote the participation of women in their armed forces. In Afghanistan, in particular, we will continue to encourage women to take their rightful place in shaping their country's future.

The Alliance currently has 150,000 women and men engaged in operations from Afghanistan to the Balkans, but also off the Horn of Africa. In these gender-sensitive environments, we have made it clear that the involvement of women in operations is crucial if we want to establish relationships and trust with civil society.

On behalf of NATO, it is a special pleasure for me to be here today with the Security Council to mark this important anniversary. Exactly 10 years ago, the Security Council adopted the important resolution 1325 (2000). It the first resolution to address the impact of conflict on women and the contribution that women can make to solidifying peace.

In conclusion, SADC has devoted a lot of efforts in empowering and advancing women. However, women still remain largely underrepresented from key decisionmaking structures and in peacemaking and peacebuilding processes. The region believes that given the opportunity, women are active agents of change and play a critical role in the recovery and reintegration of families after conflict.

Gender equality and the empowerment of women is one of the founding principles of SADC as enshrined in the SADC Treaty. The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development of 2008, puts measures in place to ensure that women get equal representation and participation in all key decision-making positions by 2015.

In terms of establishing quantifiable indicators in the follow-up to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as requested by the Security Council, we should note, as was indeed highlighted by the Secretary-General, that these indicators must be further enhanced.