Burkina Faso
Nine years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) and one year after th...
Nine years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) and one year after the adoption of 1820 (2008), and despite the Security Council's repeated recommendations and appeals, post-conflict situations regrettably remain marked by the ongoing devastating impact of armed conflict on women and children. Sexual violence and recurrent violations of women's rights are genuine sources of concern, given their deep physical, psychological and economic impact on victims and their respective communities.
The emergence of extremist groups in a number of areas and the adoption of le...
The emergence of extremist groups in a number of areas and the adoption of legislation legitimizing discriminatory practices restrict women's full enjoyment of their rights. Refugee camps and camps for internally displaced persons, where they exist, sometimes become zones of insecurity for women, instead of serving as the islands of relative tranquility they are supposed to be. We cannot deny that women's and girls' access to access health services and education is weak, or ignore the difficulties they experience in seeking to benefit from judicial mechanisms, all of which favour the entrenchment of impunity. Furthermore, women's participation in the negotiation of peace agreements remains weak, thus preventing their specific needs from being taken adequately into account.
Peacebuilding is first and foremost a responsibility and a challenge that fa...
Peacebuilding is first and foremost a responsibility and a challenge that fall to States. In countries emerging from conflict situations, priorities are numerous and all are urgent. In such a context, the situation of women and girls must be an absolute priority. We must first ensure the establishment of an adequate legislative, regulatory and judicial framework for addressing the violation of women's rights and the fight against impunity, while restoring and making accessible health services and psychological care. Awareness-raising and the training of parties regarding their obligations, as well as the creation of special community programmes, will help to overcome socio- cultural inertia and other obstacles to the empowerment of women. The systematic inclusion of the gender issue in security sector and justice reform is also a necessity.
Thus, ceasefire and peace agreements, as well as disarmament, demobilization...
Thus, ceasefire and peace agreements, as well as disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion programmes, must fully incorporate the specific needs of women and girls. Who better than women themselves to plead this cause? We must therefore guarantee their effective participation in all stages of the peace process. To that end and to enable them, where appropriate, to have the necessary tools at hand, peacetime national policies must incorporate the training of women in negotiation and mediation techniques and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In the long term and given the reality of the growing feminization of poverty and social and economic inequality, there is a need to provide greater opportunities in the education of girls, livelihood training and job creation for women, including former combatants. Overall, States must take ownership of the concept of women and peace and security. The adoption of action plans towards the improved implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) at the national level is crucial in that respect.
Most important, however, is the fact that Governments will have to do their u...
Most important, however, is the fact that Governments will have to do their utmost to strengthen the rule of law and establish institutions conducive to creating a climate of trust between leaders, all actors, victims and the population as a whole, with the ultimate objective of eliminating the deep-rooted causes of conflict.
The implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is a collective endeavour. Along...
The implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is a collective endeavour. Along with States, the international community, including the United Nations, has an important and unique role to play in that regard. Every agency of the system should play its part in the context of a common and consistent approach. The United Nations must continue to work to strengthen cooperation with regional, subregional and national organizations, including civil society and other local actors. The Security Council must continue to ensure that the specific needs of women and girls are taken into account in its peacekeeping mandates and in the effective implementation of its relevant resolutions and statements.
As to the specific issue of sexual violence, my delegation welcomes the rece...
As to the specific issue of sexual violence, my delegation welcomes the recent adoptions of resolutions 1882 (2009) and 1888 (2009), which provide for the strengthened implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). The Council should continue to call for increased female participation in contingents, for the appointment of more women as mediators, special envoys and special representatives, and for the inclusion in reports of more information on the particular needs of women and girls in post-conflict situations. We cherish the hope that the establishment of the composite gender entity by the General Assembly will add momentum to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). None these actions, however, will be viable if they are not backed by human capacity-building and adequate financing. The commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) should offer us all an opportunity to reiterate our firm commitment and genuine political will to contribute to the emancipation of women in general and the effective liberation of those who, often the innocent victims of conflict, must also endure the harsh conditions of personal rehabilitation and national reconciliation.