Mexico

Through the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions, the United Nations has been able to develop, integrate and fine-tune the tools available to it to address a gender perspective in a multidimensional manner, by recognizing the importance of women's active participation in the various stages of conflict prevention and resolution, as well as in peacekeeping, reconstruction and peacebuilding.

My delegation is concerned about the identification of patterns of sexual violence in conflict and postconflict situations in many States and regions. Sexual violence as a tactic of war stokes crises, fuels the continuation of armed conflict, promotes the displacement of people, limits subsistence activities and reduces opportunities for development. In order to avert that phenomenon, it is pivotal that peacekeeping mission personnel as well as mediation and electoral assistance teams have sufficient specialized expertise in the field of gender and sexual violence and also have the capacity to act in a timely manner so as to initiate the relevant investigations.

We are also concerned about the low level of participation by women in peace negotiations. The exclusion of women and the lack of experts in gender matters in negotiations perpetuate inequality. As is indicated in the current report of the Secretary-General, issues related to women tend to be addressed at the later stages of conflict prevention and mediation. The Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to outstanding women in this field this year undoubtedly sends a positive message, but it is nonetheless insufficient.

We believe that the provisions of these Security Council resolutions are relevant at both the international and national levels. In Mexico, following an approach to prevent violence, the institutions that are responsible for monitoring security, safety and law enforcement receive ongoing training in the field of gender affairs. As a result, more women have become involved in the administration of justice, with the notable example of the appointment of the Attorney- General, Marisela Morales — the first Mexican woman to hold this important post. In turn, the national defence agency has trained almost 80,000 personnel in the field of gender equity, and this year will see the graduation of the first female air force pilot. In the diplomatic sphere, a high number of female representatives have had a bearing my country's foreign policy, starting with Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Minister for Foreign Affairs.