Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

Secondly, we must continue to push for an enhanced role for women in political-level peace discussions, both as mediators — again as highlighted by the representative of Sweden — and as principal political actors. That can be best achieved through the increased political representation of women in both elected and appointed posts, a point that was highlighted by Croatia among others.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Netherlands will support the national women's fund in promoting Congolese women's participation in the coming elections. We will also support women in the eastern part of the country who can play a mediation role in the conflict that is still raging in the Kivus.

The report has a special section on gender-responsive prevention and resolution of conflict. It notes that gender expertise and the participation of women in official peace processes is decisive in ensuring greater sensitivity of the subsequent accord to women's rights and gender equality. For this to happen, gender issues must be addressed at the earliest possible stages – right from the start of dialogue and peace negotiations.

Second, when it comes to women's participation and representation, determination is needed to provide more opportunities, eliminate obstacles, and build capacity for influence. The report cites the need for more women mediators, advisers, negotiators and observers in peace processes, and more women in senior management of international and regional organizations, and calls for measures to address obstacles to their participation.

In the area of relief and recovery, the report finds that post-conflict financial allocations to women's empowerment and gender equality are low but increasing. The percentage of project spending targeting gender specific needs rose from an estimated 5.7 per cent as of 2010 to 7.1 per cent this year.

In the area of elections, the report shows the value of temporary special measures to increase numbers of women candidates. Yet out of nine post-conflict elections last year, only one, Uganda, employed an electoral gender quota, producing a 35 per cent female parliament. In the other eight elections, women won between four and 13 per cent of seats.

We have immense challenges ahead when it comes to fully including women in processes to promote peace and security. The inclusion of women in conflict resolution and in post-conflict situations is without a doubt essential. It is the only way that we will achieve the full inclusion of women on an equal footing for the building of societies that have better prospects for development and peace.

Mexico also believes it essential that we include the gender dimension in all phases of building our new societies, in particular in the electoral processes. This is important not just when votes are cast, but also during the process of electoral observation and in subsequent political representation.

The regions most affected by conflicts are, alas, often also the regions in which the social and political situation of women is the least advantageous. For this reason, we must lay stress not only on women's training for political participation, but also on improving material conditions so that women can participate in elections, as well as on protecting women during electoral processes, including before and after the elections.

In this context, since 2010 Luxembourg has supported an important programme set up by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.