Thank you so much for this opportunity to be part of the opening of such a meaningful and commemorative exhibition.

There are so many brutal conflicts raging across the world. One of the most disturbing aspects of modern warfare is the toll on women. And women have very limited influence on helping end conflicts.

But women are much more than victims. That is why I am so pleased that this exhibition highlights how “Women lead the Way as Agents of Peace and Security”.

I thank Namibia for hosting this event, continuing its strong leadership on the women, peace and security agenda.

Fifteen years ago, the Republic of Namibia championed what is now a landmark resolution: Security Council resolution 1325, which marked a turning point in promoting women as peacemakers.

We are at another historic moment.  This year is the 20th  anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action.

This is our chance to reflect on how far, or not so far, we have come, how much better we must understand the effects of armed conflict on women’s lives, and how important women’s participation is for achieving lasting peace and security.

We have to acknowledge the shortcomings. The Global Study on the implementation of 1325 shows a gap between visions and realities. We have made impressive advancements on paper but these are not matched by actions in practice.

Today, we see all too clearly how conflict continues to threaten women’s well-being.

The Secretary-General and I have consistently spoken out against violent extremist groups who target the physical, economic, social and political rights of women and girls as part of their agenda. 

We are joined with others around the world in expressing outrage at the fact that rape, forced marriage, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence continue to be committed with impunity and as conscious tactics of war and terrorism.

Many of the unprecedented number of those fleeing conflicts are women and girls.

In spite of all this despair and violence, we have cause to hope.

The women, peace and security agenda provides a framework for increasing our effectiveness in all areas of peace and security and humanitarian response.

Women’s leadership in humanitarian programming can increase the safety and well being of women and girls, as well as their communities.

As peacekeepers, women’s presence has been found to reduce complaints of misconduct, increase the credibility of our peacekeeping forces, and give us greater access to communities we are to protect. 
And a growing body of empirical research shows that women's participation and leadership in all stages of peace processes build a basis for more sustainable peace.

Every woman political leader or peacekeeper is also a role model in the community where she serves.

These are proven facts – still, women continue to be excluded from decision-making processes.

This is a waste and neglect of human potential which damage everyone.

The Secretary-General has been committed to speak out for women’s empowerment in the field of peace and security. We are very proud that he has appointed many senior women peacemakers, including the first-ever female Force Commander.

Basically we face a problem of changing mindsets. Gender-based discrimination drives sexual violence, which escalates dramatically in times of war. The path-breaking series of Security Council resolutions to combat sexual violence in conflict build on the foundations laid by resolution 1325. There is a growing recognition of the need for transformative change.

Let us cite the example of sexual violence in conflict. From being “history’s greatest silence” and the “world’s least-condemned war crime”, this is now a foreign policy priority. Now we have to accelerate progress and end this outrage.

At the High-level Review of 1325, in October, we expect Member States to answer the call with strong commitments for the advancement of the women, peace and security agenda. 

It is my hope that the women portrayed in this exhibit serve not only as a reminder of the gravity of our task, but also of the hope that with women at the table, we can better resolve conflict and more effectively secure a just and lasting peace.

Thank you.