Japan

The security of women and girls is an indicator of peace and stability. In that regard, we note that the Secretary-General's report refers to the fact that Afghan women's groups have voiced concerns over the potential for a peace deal to be made at the cost of women's hard-fought rights. On that point, we would like to mention that, in July, Japan hosted the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan, which reaffirmed and further consolidated the international community's partnership with the Afghan Government in the Partnership for Self-Reliance in Afghanistan from Transition to the Transformation Decade (2015-2024). Thirty Afghans from civil society, half of whom were women, were invited to the Conference. It should be noted that, the Tokyo declaration which resulted from the Conference, stressed the importance of the participation of civil society organizations and women's groups in support of the peace process and the culture of peace and human rights in Afghan society, in particular in the light of resolution 1325 (2000).

As to refugees and persons displaced as a result of conflicts, Japan supported the efforts to prevent sexual violence in Ivorian refugee camps located in Liberia by providing lighting and electricity in common areas of the camps, as well as vocational training that included awareness-raising activities. That effort also included our support to establish a relief and recovery system, including legal support and mental care to victims of sexual violence. In the Republic of Uganda, Japan implemented awareness-raising activities for sexual violence prevention in communities of refugees from neighbouring countries, and over 10,000 people participated.