Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

The participation of women in post-conflict peacebuilding processes can be analyzed from the standpoint both of the United Nations system and of the State. In the first case, it is essential to address the issue of gender from the planning stage of activities in the field and to sustain it in all phases of reconstruction and peacebuilding.

From the viewpoint of the State, it is important that the role of women in post-conflict reconstruction activities be incorporated into national implementation plans for resolution 1325 (2000). That involves not only the deployment of a larger number of women in the field, but also acknowledgement of the effective role that women can perform in all stages of that process, including as mediators in peace processes.

In addition to those root causes, weak and fragile State institutions in parts of Afghanistan have, regrettably, restricted the Government's ability to fully protect the rights of women. An infant justice system and police force do not yet have the training or the resources to adequately investigate, prosecute and punish crimes.

First, enduring insecurity has always played a central role in women's suffering in Afghanistan. In the past, insecurity caused a complete breakdown in infrastructure and resources, resulting in backbreaking poverty and lack of access to health care and basic education. Today, restricted access to the most insecure parts of the country perpetuates this situation and hinders progress.

Safeguarding women's access to justice, applying a gender-sensitive approach to transitional justice mechanisms and including women in post-conf lict reparations programmes are paramount steps in the establishment of the rule of law, and thus paramount to peace and security.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open date, which places in the proper context the issue of women and the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict-affected situations. We also thank Azerbaijan for the concept note (S/2013/587, annex), which has provided direction to our discussion.

Notably greater involvement of women — from mediation, restoring the rule of law and governance to participation in post-conflict electoral processes — continues to require commitment and attention. It also requires greater dedicated resourcing, particularly for civil society groups working on the ground.

Lithuania associates itself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union. I will limit myself to a few points relating to the agenda on the rule of law and the participation of women.

To ensure genuine rule of law, beyond the formal establishment of institutions, judicial systems need to be fully accessible to all individuals and groups. A major obstacle to access is the cost involved in legal advice and legal representation services. We support the work of the United Nations to implement a wide variety of projects focused on providing legal aid to address that obstacle.

Egypt has considered with interest the Secretary- General's report on women and peace and security (S/2013/525). We would like to express our appreciation for the efforts made in the drafting of the report, which highlights the progress made, including the significant policy and operational focus on the monitoring, prevention and prosecution of violence against women in conflicts.