Implementation

In considering women and peace and security, it is important that the Council not only focus on the protection of women's security and safeguarding their rights in conflict and post-conflict situations, but also recognize the unique role played by women in peace processes and seek ways to bring them onboard in advancing global peace and security.

First, the Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council should focus on the prevention of conflicts, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction and on creating an enabling political, security and legal environment for the protection and promotion of women's rights.

Twelve years after the adoption of the historic resolution 1325 (2000), the Council has continued to make progress in providing guidance for the greater protection of women in armed conflict situations. Nevertheless, it can be seen that the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations has not improved.

The report of the Secretary-General presents the progress made since last year relating to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in four areas of action: prevention, participation, protection, and relief and recovery. It also covers the steps announced with a view to improving monitoring and evaluation systems aimed at fulfilling commitments relating to women and peace and security.

The present debate is without a doubt an opportunity to strengthen action in the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. This year's theme reflects the central role played by women's groups in the implementation of this agenda and the work they carry out in favour of peace and the empowerment of women.

The Chilean national action plan covers a range of actions aimed at promoting the inclusion of gender perspective in the understanding of and approach to conflict-prevention and post-conflict processes; respecting, guaranteeing and protecting the rights of women and girls; and generating conditions for the equitable participation of women in peace processes and decision-making with regard to international peace and security.

It should be underscored that in 2008 my country established a working group, composed of representatives of the Ministries for Foreign Affairs and of National Defence, the National Service for Women and civil society organizations, with the aim of developing a national action plan in keeping with the requirements of resolution 1325 (2000).

In our view, it is important to promote the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) through the exchange of experiences and international cooperation, both bilaterally and within the regional peacekeeping mechanisms in which Chile participates, in particular the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Canada heartily welcomes the Secretary-General's recognition of the need to take effective measures to address conflict-related sexual violence such as rape as a weapon of war, and calls for the protection of human rights defenders. Governments have the responsibility to deal with the issues of women and peace and security. Civil society can potentially play a constructive role.

As our Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird, stated at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in September, women are the key to the development of pluralistic societies, and the full and active participation of women in all parts of civil society and throughout society as a whole is very important in that regard.