Participation

2010 marks the Tenth Anniversary of Security Council Resolution (UNSeR) 1325, which is a landmark legal and political framework that acknowledges the importance of women's participation and gender perspectives as an integral part of peace negotiations,

First of all, on this tenth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000), I would like once again to affirm, together with all present here, the essential message of the resolution that lasting peace can never be achieved without the
participation of women.

By applying a gender perspective in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the Government of Japan has been attempting to create an environment in which more women can play active roles.

And another point to be borne in mind is that efforts for peace and security must be accompanied by social and economic development. In particular, for achieving stability in post-conflict societies, not only must there be reconstruction at the country level, but it is also essential to rebuild communities and empower people affected by conflicts, employing a bottom-up

My delegation recognizes the important work that the United Nations has undertaken in increasing the representation and participation of women at high levels within the UN System. The most recent of which were the appointment of the Under-Secretary to the new Gender Entity, UN Women, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Confllct.

Today, Jamaica recommits itself to ensuring that this vital work will continue, through active participation as long as it is needed. We reaffirm our collective commitment to building a world free from the scourge of war.

Ten years on, in celebrating the anniversary of this watershed event, significant achievements are difficult to identify. It remains a matter of serious concern that women have become caught in the centre of violent conflicts and often become the direct and deliberate victims of the most egregious abuses committed by parties to armed conflicts.

Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building.We acknowledge that in some parts of the world women have become increasingly effective participants at the peace table and have continued to assist in creating an enabling environment for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace building and post-conflict construction.

Jamaica has played its part in ensuring the participation of women in peace and security over the years through its increased presence in UN Peacekeeping Operations. We have also been encouraging the recruitment of women police officers to peacekeeping missions being keenly aware of the impact their service and experience have had on the UN and host country's recognition of the role of women in peace and security.

I wlsh, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to thank you Mr. President for convening this open debate on women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security,Resolution 1325 unanimously adopted in the Security Council ten years ago, brought to light one of history's best kept secrets, the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls.