Portugal

Extracts to this Statement: 

Women are indispensable actors of change and development. The Arab Spring is ...

Extract: 
Women are indispensable actors of change and development. The Arab Spring is a stage for the active participation of women in political processes. Tunisian, Egyptian and Libyan women have, today, higher and legitimate expectations than in the past regarding their role in the shaping of their countries' future. Women who have strived to make their voices heard, who have played a important role in promoting political transitions, are now looking forward to full and equal participation in the political sphere and to contribute actively to the stability, progress and cohesion of their societies
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation

The decision of the Nobel Prize Committee to award the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize...

Extract: 
The decision of the Nobel Prize Committee to award the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to three women in recognition "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work" is a much deserved recognition of women's significant contribution to peacebuilding and democracy. It will undoubtedly send a powerful message to women around the world to engage in determining the future of their countries.
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

Indeed, while acknowledging that important progress has been accomplished in ...

Extract: 

Indeed, while acknowledging that important progress has been accomplished in the implementation of resolution 1325 and the subsequent resolutions on Women Peace and Security, we need to recognize that significant challenges still remain: women are still underrepresented at the several levels of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts as they are inadequately represented in formal peace negotiations. The exclusion of women from peace talks and peacebuilding efforts often means that insufficient attention is paid to addressing gender disparities and women's needs and concerns in the post conflict phase, thus reinforcing a circle of inequality and marginalization.

PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Implementation
Participation
Peace Processes
Peacekeeping
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

In this regard, we welcome UN Women's efforts to give technical support to wo...

Extract: 
In this regard, we welcome UN Women's efforts to give technical support to women's organizations and we recognize that much has been done with success at local and regional level to strengthen women's civil society groups. We also welcome every effort by Member States to promote women's political participation and to eliminate discriminatory or constitutional barriers against women. Further action is also needed on other obstacles that prevent women from participating fully in politics such as poverty, sexual violence, lack of access to education, negative societal attitudes, cultural and psychological barriers.
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Implementation

This Council has also a key role to play in monitoring women's participation ...

Extract: 
This Council has also a key role to play in monitoring women's participation in political processes and I would take this opportunity to highlight once again the importance of inviting Michelle Bachelet to brief the Council on women's political participation in concrete situations in the agenda of the Council to complement the briefings that the Council receives from other parts of the Secretariat. We congratulate her warmly for the for the very important work she is carrying out, for her leadership and commitment and we wish here to reiterate our full support to her endeavours.
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Implementation

To conclude, Madam President, Portugal has been striving to support the promo...

Extract: 
To conclude, Madam President, Portugal has been striving to support the promotion and protection of the human rights of women but also women's political participation in situations in the agenda of the Council like in Libya, Somalia, South Sudan or in Afghanistan among others. This Council cannot afford to exclude the skills and talents of half of the world's population in the pursuit of peace. In this context, my country reaffirms its commitment to ensuring women's effective participation in peace and security and to translate this commitment into enhanced action. I thank you for your attention.
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Implementation
Participation

Women have indeed a crucial role to play in rebuilding war torn societies and...

Extract: 
Women have indeed a crucial role to play in rebuilding war torn societies and in reserving social cohesion. They did it in Europe during and after two World Wars, they did it in South America and they did it in Africa in countries divided by civilian strive. They still do it on a daily basis in several countries tormented by conflict. What is essential is to guarantee that women are included in peace processes and to ensure that their perspectives, direct knowledge of the concrete situation and concerns are taken into account as important contributions to the re-shaping of torn societies in post –conflict situations and in peacebuilding efforts.
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Peace Processes
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding