Participation

Even nine years after the adoption of the very important landmark resolution 1325 (2000), we cannot fail to see that many innocent women and children live under fear and want in conflict and post-conflict situations. Clearly, much remains to be done. Japan therefore welcomes today's debate and the decision of the Council to adopt resolution 1889 (2009).

Women's security must be guaranteed. Abuses must be prosecuted. Blanket amnesties must be off the table. But the protection of women is just one pillar of resolution 1325 (2000). Women are agents of change and fundamental players for peace, stabilization, reconstruction and sustainable development. That was one of the key messages of resolution 1325 (2000).

Let me conclude by reaffirming Italy's firm commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to promoting women's participation and empowerment. We have made this a priority both in our political action and in our development cooperation.

As we have said time and time again, this is not just a question of how many women are included in the political and decision-making process; it is about enabling them to champion issues that are vital to their empowerment. This is possible only through the full engagement of civil society and women's organizations, which is why resource, training and capacity-building needs must always be given full consideration.

As stated in the conclusions of the presidency at the G-8 meeting in Rome, to which I have referred, global peace and security also depend on women's actions and on their participation under conditions of equality in social development and governance mechanisms at local, national and world levels.

Overall, the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/465) makes for sober reading. There are some bright spots, in particular on the training front, and all successes deserve recognition and commendation. But the statistics — to take just one example, only 2.4 per cent of signatories to peace agreements since 1992 have been women — tell their own story.

I might begin with a personal recollection. Almost 17 years ago, in December 1992, I went to the former Yugoslavia as a member of the EU mission to investigate the rape of women during the Balkan conflict. The experience left a deep imprint on all who participated. It was the end of any illusion that barbarity is confined to faraway places.

The international community must help to restore peace in conflict areas with the participation of women. We commend the continued effort to incorporate a gender perspective in all policies and programmes of the United Nations system, facilitated by a strong gender entity within the United Nations. However, we note that gender-targeted projects in post-conflict areas remain limited.

Nonetheless, our strategies ultimately must not merely treat women and girls as victims; they should also be a central part of peace agreements. Women are key partners in the post-conflict transformation process. Women should be enabled and empowered to play an active role in the many spheres of post-conflict life beyond earning livelihoods by also participating in political and peacebuilding processes.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for providing us with a progress report (S/2009/465) on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and for the recommendations contained therein. Ahead of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) in October 2010, we have an opportunity today in this open debate to advance women's participation in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding.