Participation

Let me also add my voice to other speakers who had called for greater deployment of female military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and to provide all military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities. In this regard, we encourage, especiallly those who champion the importance of participation of women peacekeepers and also have the inclination and capacity, to do so.

India has consistently held the view that greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peace keeping and post conflict reconstruction is an essential pre-requisite for lasting peace and security.

In Sikhism, women are considered to have the same souls as men and an equal right to grow spiritually. They are allowed to lead religious congregations, take part in the Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), perform Kirtan (congregational singing of hymns), work as a Granthi, and participate in all religious, cultural, social, and secular activities.

Having had the resolution in operational mode for a decade, we need to redouble our efforts to increase women's participation at all stages and all levels of the peace processes and peacebuilding efforts.

There is a vital need for a system of monitoring the status of implementation of 1325. Therefore, Iceland urges the Security Council to adopt the indicators put forward in the Secretary General's report so that UN organizations, member states and civil society are able to measure the impact on the ground and men and women around the world to reap the benefit.

The recognition by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ten years ago of gender equality as a security issue was a watershed, both for women and our organization. Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1325, the Council acknowledged not only the needs and concerns of women in connection with peace processes, but underlined the participation of women as an important prerequisite for sustainable peace.

In addition, Iceland has advocated women's participation in peace negotiations, including through the important work of the International Women's Commission (IWC) bringing together Israeli, Palestinian and international women dedicated to seeing an end to the Israeli occupation and a just peace based on international law, human rights and equality.Lastly, Iceland has emphasised the importance of the gender perspective in international climate

We are convinced that women's participation in the maintenance of peace and security is in itself a basic human right. In this context, we welcome that this issue has achieved a prominent place on the international agenda. We believe that the involvement of women into the peace negotiations and conflict mediation should be supported.

Taking this opportunity I would like to confirm that the Government of the Republic of Hungary is strongly committed to implement Resolution 1325. We stand firmly behind endeavors aimed at mainstreaming gender issues in the strategies, policies, programs and actions and promoting participation of women in decision-making and peace processes.

I am very pleased to represent the Government of the Republic of Hungary at this meeting and commemorate with all of you the 10th anniversary of this groundbreaking resolution.