Participation

That is why we hope that the effective participation of women will be a priority during the next Secretary- General’s mandate. I have heard him speak, I know him, and I am sure that it will be so, but resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2242 (2015) represent a cause that affects us all. It is indeed a just cause, but above all it is necessary if we are to truly contribute to building a peace with a solid foundation.

South Africa strongly believes in the involvement and empowerment of women in every aspect of peace, security and development. That finds a robust reflection in the fact that democratic South Africa has one of the largest contingents of women peacekeepers deployed throughout the African continent.

We call for greater recognition of, and support for, women’s participation in all stages of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation.

As a group of countries promoting human security, the Human Security Network would like to emphasize that the personal security of women is essential for human security. Women’s empowerment and participation are the cornerstones of any prevention and protection response.

The equal participation and involvement of women in peace and security is a cross- cutting issue and gender expertise is needed in all areas, including security sector reform. The participation and involvement of women is key to operational effectiveness, local ownership and strengthened oversight.

But the specific life experiences of women in conflict, as well as their skills, are not sufficiently taken into account in reconciliation, reconstruction and peacebuilding processes, precisely because women and girls are often kept away from decision- making bodies.

Women have a vital role to play in preventing conflict and building and maintaining peace. But, although that is now widely recognized, far too often women are prevented from fully participating in peacemaking and peacebuilding. We are all suffering from the effects of that deficit. In our interconnected world, insecurity and conflict in one country or region affects us all.

We should point out that in our country women occupy a number of leading Government posts — the President of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, President of the Central Bank, the Ministers of Health and Education and a number of other responsible positions. Women also play a very significant part in the work of the State Duma.

We consider it critical to ensure the active and meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects and stages of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict processes.

Apart from Member States responsibilities to advance the women and peace and security agenda, we must also acknowledge the role of the civil society organizations, including women human rights defenders and women-led non-governmental organizations, as they play a crucial role at all levels of conflict prevention, decision- making, mediation and post-conflict resolution.

The role that women can and should play in conflict prevention and resolution and decision-making processes aimed at sustainable peace is fundamental. That is why it is essential to empower women globally and continuously, as recommended in the report of the Secretary-General.