Participation

Thailand firmly participation in all peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development will contribute significantly to long-term and sustainable peace and security in post-conflict societies. Since it is believes that women's aspects of peacemaking, mostly men who participate in conflict, it is important to encourage the role of women in order to help stabilize post-conflict environments and restore the fabric of society.

I also wish to make a reference to the importance of women's contribution to this process, which was clearly underlined in the Secretary-General's report on women's participation in peacebuilding.

The PBC has contributed to the report on women's participation in peacebuilding during the drafting phase. We noted the action plan, which aimed at a more gender-responsive peacebuilding agenda. As members are aware, the PBC mandate recognizes the role that women play in peacebuilding, both as victims of conflict and as critical agents for positive change and for rebuilding societies emerging from conflict.

Women's participation in mediation and policy formulation of various Peacebuilding efforts can be a source of force multiplier. However, adherence to merit, cross-board institutional contexts and strict professionalism should not be compromised.

The question of funding and resourcing in general is also critical from the perspective of women in peacebuilding. In order to have a real impact on the lives of women and the post-conflict societies they live in, United Nations agencies should be adequately resourced. In that way, we might provide women and girls with effective resources and protections as victims of violent conflict.

The report of the Secretary-General rightly identified women's role as partners in shoring up the three pillars of lasting peace: economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy. We support a greater role for women in peacebuilding, including the promotion of gender equality within the work of the United Nations.

In addition, peacebuilding will be effective only if women are actively and effectively involved in their societies. In this regard, we support the seven commitments of the action plan proposed in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/466). We believe, furthermore, that greater involvement by women in political life, the mediation process and the planning of sensitive activities would promote lasting peace.

Sixthly, women and children are the main victims of conflict. In the post-conflict period, women should be given the opportunity to participate in reconstruction and peacebuilding, as well as in peace negotiations. Those factors serve to promote the agreements that the parties are working to reach. Furthermore, including women in positions of power reduces the likelihood of a resumption of conflict.

The Nordic countries believe that the following recommendations deserve particular attention: first, inclusive participation as a key to legitimate and sustainable peace; secondly, adequate and timely financing of the postconflict needs of men and women alike; and thirdly, improving the response of the system as a whole in the immediate aftermath of a conflict.

Special measures might also be needed to support women's representation in the governance institutions that emerge after a conflict. The United Nations often acts as the adviser in crucial decisions, such as the composition of constituent assemblies or the choice of electoral system, including possibilities for quotas or preferential treatment.