Participation

In my own country there has been compelling evidence that, when women are empowered, they can act successfully to change their lives and the lives of those around them. Under “Bolsa Familia”, a conditional cash transfer programme that has lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty, women are the preferred recipients of transfers.

As 2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, it is of the utmost importance that we strive to ensure gender equality, fight violence against women and to enhance women's participation in international peace and security.

We recognize that peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men. One of the most important issues to be addressed with regard to women and armed conflict remains women's participation in conflict resolution and the negotiation of peace agreements at the national and international levels.

We believe that if women are to play an equal part in the maintenance of peace and security, they must be empowered politically and economically and represented adequately at all decision-making levels, both at the pre-conflict stage and during hostilities, as well as during peacekeeping, reconstruction and reconciliation.

Today's deliberations reaffirm the great importance that we attach individually and collectively to the impact of conflict on women and to the role that women can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

Therefore, we must ensure that the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000) are realized in order to enable women to participate fully and equally in all levels of decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Women must become full agents in the shaping and rebuilding of their communities in the aftermath of war.

In this respect, it is also our belief that the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) can be achieved only through increased recognition of the crucial role of women, as well as their participation and involvement in all efforts aimed at preventing and resolving conflicts. We fully share the opinion that gender equality should be recognized as a core issue in the maintenance of peace and security.

In conclusion, Botswana attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of the rights and interests of women and to advancing the status of women. The Government of Botswana has made major achievements in protecting women from violence and in ensuring a secure environment where their rights are protected and their participation in decision-making bodies is guaranteed.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken significant steps to integrate the gender perspective into national policies. We are among the first countries in the Western Balkans region to have adopted a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

We are aware of the fact that peace cannot be sustained unless women play a critical role in the process. We therefore underscore the importance of full and effective participation of women at all stages of peace processes, giving them an equal role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as in early peacebuilding. Women must be fully engaged in peace talks, post-conflict needs assessments and planning frameworks.