Tanzania

The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) was an important milestone in empowering women in the critical areas of peace and security, where women have often been deliberate targets and silent victims of violent conflicts. The effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is therefore a necessity. In this regard we wish to emphasize the following points.

As an equal component of any society, women should have equal and active participation in formulating political, economic and social policies. Equally, as victims of exclusion, as vulnerable targets in conflicts and as mothers and breadwinners, women have high stakes in conflict prevention and resolution, and in all issues related to peace and security. Yet, in the name of tradition, in the name of culture and sometimes even in the name of security, women have continued to be excluded, and too often they have been set aside while men brokered peace agreements. We are encouraged, therefore, that more and more women are challenging this viewpoint and are increasingly demanding involvement as stakeholders in their communities. Their potential as peacebuilders must now be harnessed.

First, there is a need to create more awareness and to provide technical support for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions, such as 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), specifically in national gender machineries, foreign affairs ministries, the judiciary and the army.

Thirdly, women's political and economic empowerment and the promotion and protection of women's and girls' rights are critical for promoting women's participation in conflict prevention, post-conflict activities and gender mainstreaming in post-conflict strategies. More funds should now be provided in this regard, including to ensure that women have access to quality education, to capacity building through entrepreneurship and to economic opportunity.

Fifthly, impunity for all those who abuse women and girls and violate their human rights, as well as for those who commission such acts, must cease forthwith. These persons must be speedily brought to justice.