Marking the 15th anniversary the adoption of the United Nations Security Council\u2019s resolution 1325, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today declared his commitment to the inclusion of women in peace-building processes, while the Council adopted a new text by which it decided to integrate women, peace and security concerns across all country-specific situations on its agenda, within relevant contexts.<\/p>\n
\u201cFifteen years ago, Security Council resolution 1325 underscored the pivotal link between gender and international peace and security,\u201d said Mr. Ban in his opening remarks to the day-long meeting that was chaired by Mariano Rajoy Brey, the Prime Minister of Spain, which holds the Council\u2019s presidency for the month of October.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince then, this Council has adopted several resolutions on women, peace and security \u2013 each of them a call to action for the international community,\u201d added the Secretary-General.<\/p>\n
In the new resolution adopted today, the Council recognized the ongoing need for greater integration of resolution 1325 in its own work, and, among other provisions, expressed its intention to dedicate periodic Council consultations on country situations, as necessary, to the topic of women, peace and security implementation, as well as the intention to ensure Security Council missions take into account gender considerations and the rights of women.<\/p>\n
Citing his own commitment to implementing resolution 1325, the UN chief noted that he had appointed five women were now serving as his Special Representatives in peacekeeping missions, adding that he had also appointed the first-ever female Force Commander, Major General Kristin Lund, in Cyprus.<\/p>\n
Participants at meeting of the Security Council to mark the 15th anniversary of resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. UN Photo\/Rick Bajornas\/Cia Pak
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\nHe also urged that the implementation of resolution 1325 \u201cmust be aligned with the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Ban then highlighted the three major reviews of UN peace operations, peacebuilding architecture and women, peace and security that had recently been conducted. \u201cOne common theme has emerged: any reforms must include gender equality and women\u2019s leadership as central ingredients, and must be strongly grounded in human rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that particular attention should be given to women who are the most vulnerable, particularly indigenous women.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must also do much more to combat the growing spread of violent extremism,\u201d he continued. \u201cGroups such as Da\u2019esh
The Secretary-General also spoke of the restructuring of the gender architecture of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in headquarters and field missions, as well as the work of the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) to bolster the capacity of its gender team in Headquarters and to keep the engagement and participation of women in peacemaking.<\/p>\n
The Department of Field Support (DFS), he continued, was working to implement strengthened measures to address sexual exploitation and abuse, and to increase the representation of women in peacekeeping, especially at the senior management level.<\/p>\n
He also indicated his personal commitment to reach the target of 15 per cent of peacebuilding funds devoted to projects that address gender equality and the empowerment of women, and the expansion of this target in emerging areas of peace and security threats, particularly with regard to violent extremism.<\/p>\n
Also addressing the meeting, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said \u201cthe voices of women leaders and frontline activists for peace are rare in this forum\u2026but they are the most important voices you will hear today,\u201d adding that vibrant women\u2019s movements work tirelessly to realize justice and reconciliation.<\/p>\n
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the relevance of resolution of 1325, as well as \u201cthe very missed opportunities where it has not been put into effect, with dire cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
She went on to note the successes obtained in peace processes in Colombia and the Philippines because of the contributions of women in those processes.<\/p>\n
Citing, the \u201cgrowing body of evidence\u201d showing that, to build peace, the \u201cmeaningful inclusion of women\u201d is needed, she said: \u201cThis is the highest finding of the global study that informs this high-level review.\u201d She also noted the importance of sustainable peace agreements and enhancing economic recovery after conflicts, as well as combatting violent extremism.<\/p>\n
The global study, launched yesterday at UN Headquarters, highlights the need for more women in mediation support teams, as well as more regular consultation with civil society leaders, as well as more robust actions to combat sexual violence.<\/p>\n
Speaking on behalf of civil society, Julienne Lusenge and Ms. Yanar Mohammed of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, addressed the Council, as did Ms. Alaa Murabit of the NGO Voice of Libyan Women.<\/p>\n
Ms. Mohammed of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and cofounder and President of Women\u2019s Freedom in Iraq said that peace will \u201cnever be established\u201d in Iraq and Syria without the proper implementation of resolution 1325.<\/p>\n
She noted that ISIL arose from ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, where the \u201crights of women, girls and LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] persons and other marginalized groups were already degraded, leaving them open to abuse from ISIL,\u201d adding that the situation in Iraq was now one that included the subjugation of women and the disenfranchisement of minority groups.<\/p>\n
Ms. Mohammed also spoke of ISIL\u2019s \u201censlavement of Iraqi women,\u201d noting the particular example of the execution of 150 women in an ISIL-controlled area because they refused to obey the \u201cso-called Islamic State.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said that research showed that \u201cwomen\u2019s meaningful participation\u201d in peace processes was an effective tool to combat extremism, and that the inclusion of women in the Geneva peace process was critical to prevent resurgence of violent extremism.<\/p>\n
\u201cExtremism is not only an Iraqi or Syrian problem,\u201d she said. \u201cLessons from our region must be applied globally,\u201d adding that \u201cwhat is primarily lacking is the political will.\u201d Ms. Mohammed said that she urged the Security Council and the entire international community \u201cto take action on its commitments.\u201d<\/p>\n
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