Implementation

Recent experience in the exercise of development activities has strengthened the understanding about the links between development and human rights. The concept of the right to development is gaining in substance and recognition. Moreover, specific areas of development have provided further evidence of the importance of this link. The role of women in development is a pertinent example.

Estonia, therefore, places great hopes on the UN's new gender entity, UN Women, and will continue to insist that the UN as a whole, does its part globally standing up for women's rights. We also expect that UN Women will play an active role in helping to turn the principles of the UN Security Council resolution 1325, “Women, Peace and Security” from paper to reality

Mr. President, gender equality and women empowerment strategy of the UN, especially through the creation of UN Women, deserve commendation and support. Nigeria's support for UN Women, to which we have made substantial contributions, reflects our desire to harness the potentials of women in the task of nation building.

The record is far from impressive at the moment as the number of women around the negotiation tables continues to be strikingly low. I welcome the efforts by the UN Women to change the situation, and call upon us all to make a commitment to involve more women in this work. Women and men have marched together for a better future. It is important that they continue to participate side by side in building a democratic society.

Peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and mediation are at the very heart of the United Nations. Mediation has to be used at every stage of the conflict. We need to enhance the capabilities of the UN in this field. Training and guidance are pivotal. Also, women's participation as well as grass-roots activities and the work of NGOs are vital for our efforts

In my country, women have been fundamental in overcoming social inequalities. Mothers play a central role in our income distribution programs. It is they who manage the resources that allow families to invest in the health and education of their children. Yet my country, like every country in the world, still has much work ahead of it when it comes to empowering women.

Women hold up more than half the sky and represent much of the world's unrealized potential. They are the educators. They raise the children. They hold families together and increasingly drive economies. They are natural leaders. We need their full engagement — in government, business and civil society. And this year, for the first time, we have UN Women — our own unique and powerful engine for dynamic change.

Secondly, breaking the silence and raising awareness are essential to the prevention of sexual violence and the protection of victims. Political discussion and initiatives at international and regional levels are of crucial importance to send the message of intolerance toward sexual violence, and that must combined with measures aimed at raising awareness at the grass-roots level.

Much remains to be done to address the challenges faced by women and girls in armed conflicts, as well as in post-conflict situations. ASEAN reaffirms our strong support and commitment to the implementation of the relevant Council resolutions to end sexual violence whenever and wherever it occurs.

Lastly, while States bear the primary responsibility for preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence, the United Nations system has a special role to play, as mandated by its Member States.