Italy
Mr. Cornado (Italy): I would like, first of all, to commend you, Mr. Presiden...
Mr. Cornado (Italy): I would like, first of all, to commend you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Let me also thank Deputy Secretary- General Migiro, Assistant Secretary-General Mayanja, Executive Director Alberdi and Ms. Amin. Italy aligns itself with the position expressed by Sweden on behalf of the European Union.
Tragically, sexual violence continues to be used with impunity as a weapon of...
Tragically, sexual violence continues to be used with impunity as a weapon of war to destroy the very fabric of society in many conflicts in the world. That has to stop. As Secretary of State Clinton said in this Chamber just a few days ago (see S/PV.6195), the dehumanizing nature of sexual violence erodes social and political stability, undermines economic progress and holds us all back.
Italy has committed itself to make this issue one the top priorities of its i...
Italy has committed itself to make this issue one the top priorities of its international action. In the framework of the Italian presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8), on 9 and 10 September my Government convened an international conference in Rome on the issue of violence against women. In the presidency's conclusions of that meeting, we clearly stated that violence against women and girls is a war crime and a crime against humanity. The participants committed themselves to strive to ensure the fullest possible implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), not least to eliminate the sense of impunity that is still widespread among the perpetrators of such crimes.
The use of sexual violence as a war tactic is clearly a global emergency. In ...
The use of sexual violence as a war tactic is clearly a global emergency. In the past year and a half, the Security Council has shown remarkable leadership in this field. With hindsight, we can say that the adoption of resolution 1820 (2008) was indeed a watershed moment. It clearly established that sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, when used as a tactic of war, is a matter of peace and security, and very much the business of the Council. Italy is proud to have been one of the sponsors of that landmark resolution and to have actively contributed to its drafting.
Resolution 1820 (2008) brought about a better understanding of the implicatio...
Resolution 1820 (2008) brought about a better understanding of the implications of sexual violence as a weapon of war, thus opening the way for the Council to adopt two other important resolutions: resolution 1882 (2009) and, only last week, resolution 1888 (2009). Both provide the Council with important and effective new tools to end impunity and to hold accountable the perpetrators of those heinous crimes. It is now up to the Council to use those tools and implement the resolutions in full and without delay.
We encourage the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed ...
We encourage the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict to use the full array of means at its disposal to deal with parties responsible for rape and sexual violence against children. We look forward to the Secretary-General's early appointment of a special representative for women and peace and security to provide much-needed leadership, coordination and advocacy. We are also convinced of the importance of finding ways to ensure better and more detailed reporting to the Council, primarily with regard to the identity of the parties responsible for these grave violations.
Women's security must be guaranteed. Abuses must be prosecuted. Blanket amnes...
Women's security must be guaranteed. Abuses must be prosecuted. Blanket amnesties must be off the table. But the protection of women is just one pillar of resolution 1325 (2000). Women are agents of change and fundamental players for peace, stabilization, reconstruction and sustainable development. That was one of the key messages of resolution 1325 (2000). What we need now is to move with equal determination to achieve similar progress in empowering women and ensuring their effective and equal participation in every phase of peacemaking, conflict prevention, peace processes and peacebuilding.
As stated in the conclusions of the presidency at the G-8 meeting in Rome, to...
As stated in the conclusions of the presidency at the G-8 meeting in Rome, to which I have referred, global peace and security also depend on women's actions and on their participation under conditions of equality in social development and governance mechanisms at local, national and world levels. The resolution that the Council has adopted today, resolution 1889 (2009), is the first important step in that direction, and we commend Viet Nam for taking this initiative.
The role of women is particularly important in peacebuilding efforts, as reco...
The role of women is particularly important in peacebuilding efforts, as recognized by the specific gender mandate of the Peacebuilding Commission. After a conflict, women are often victims of heinous abuses and can be irrationally stigmatized for the violence they have suffered. At the same time, they are the pillars of families that need to be put back together and of societies that need to be rebuilt. They are the educators of future generations, partners in the reintegration of ex-combatants, mothers of fatherless children, the only dynamic economic actors in a ravaged society. For those reasons, a peace that is built without considering the needs and hopes of women cannot be a lasting one.
As we have said time and time again, this is not just a question of how many ...
As we have said time and time again, this is not just a question of how many women are included in the political and decision-making process; it is about enabling them to champion issues that are vital to their empowerment. This is possible only through the full engagement of civil society and women's organizations, which is why resource, training and capacity-building needs must always be given full consideration. The United Nations has an important contribution to make in ensuring, for instance, that the participation of women is better reflected in peacekeeping mission mandates, and that those missions are provided with much-needed expertise and resources, including through the inclusion of a gender component in all of its peacekeeping and political missions.
Let me conclude by reaffirming Italy's firm commitment to the full implementa...
Let me conclude by reaffirming Italy's firm commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and to promoting women's participation and empowerment. We have made this a priority both in our political action and in our development cooperation. To that end, we have funded a number of projects of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) focused on implementing resolution 1325 (2000) in West Africa, and we have started the process of drafting a national action plan. As one of the main troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, we have an important role to play in ensuring that resolution 1325 (2000) is mainstreamed in all United Nations missions.