Sweden

We welcome the focus of this debate on the rights, perspectives and participation of women in the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict-affected situations. The rule of law is an integral part of the engagement for peace and security. The Nordic countries have a strong commitment to the rule of law and to its main principles of legality, equality, accountability and participation.

Safeguarding women's access to justice, applying a gender-sensitive approach to transitional justice mechanisms and including women in post-conf lict reparations programmes are paramount steps in the establishment of the rule of law, and thus paramount to peace and security. The campaign to improve women's access to justice must therefore include a scrutiny of the systemic barriers of gender inequality, including economic empowerment, women's citizenship rights, their legal capacity, property rights, as well as safe transportation and safe access to witnesses and victim protection programmes. In order to play a role, women must also have access to their basic rights in all phases of conflict. We therefore welcome the Secretary- General's call for expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services.

The Nordic countries support and encourage the findings in the progress report by UN Women to be moved forward, alongside the Secretary-General's recommendations in his report. We applaud the efforts of the regional and subregional organizations to implement resolution 1325 (2000), and we commend the ongoing work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) membership to adopt an OSCE- wide action plan.

We pay tribute to the work of civil society to promote gender equality and women's role in conflict resolution and in conflict prevention. Let us not forget that the very origin of resolution 1325 (2000) derives from the tireless and courageous efforts of women's NGOs. We must continue to support and encourage the women- led civil society in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.