Austria
The topic of our debate is a very timely one. Today we should acknowledge the...
The topic of our debate is a very timely one. Today we should acknowledge the important contribution made by women in the Arab world to bring about political transformation, and the decisive role they have played and continue to play in the quest for democracy, transparent political systems, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights. It is difficult to imagine the achievements of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya without the active participation of women and young people, and it is difficult to imagine a successful and inclusive democratic transformation process without their active participation.
As the President's concept note (S/2011/654) rightly points out, many gaps an...
As the President's concept note (S/2011/654) rightly points out, many gaps and challenges remain on the road to translating words into action and ensuring the full participation of women in all stages of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The effective representation and full involvement of women in peace processes...
The effective representation and full involvement of women in peace processes, in transitional governments and in political life is a prerequisite for addressing their specific needs and concerns and for ensuring that their rights are adequately reflected in State structures, peace agreements, law enforcement processes, et cetera. One half of the population cannot claim to represent the other half. Women need to represent themselves.
The United Nations and its Member States need to further increase the number ...
The United Nations and its Member States need to further increase the number of women in peacekeeping operations and political missions in order to ensure gender expertise in the planning of missions and in all mediation efforts, and to enhance the appointment of women to senior leadership positions. The Secretary-General's seven-point action plan on women's participation in peacebuilding (see S/2010/466) contains important commitments in that regard, and we encourage the United Nations system to take them forward.
In order to be able to guide and track the implementation of resolution 1325 ...
In order to be able to guide and track the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) by the United Nations system over the next 10 years, Austria very much welcomes the strategic framework contained in the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/598*). The formulation of concrete medium and long-term targets is an important step. Austria is convinced that the comprehensive set of indicators that received the Council's support at the open debate one year ago is not only essential for monitoring the strategic framework, but should also be used to track efforts at the national level. We fully support the recommendations in the Secretary-General's report, including the call for more frequent briefings of the Council by Executive Director Bachelet, as well as by relevant Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. Of course, the inclusion of women, peace and security aspects in country-specific reports to the Council, including reporting on attacks on women journalists, women human rights defenders and women in public office, is equally important to providing the Council with the necessary information to act upon.
Austria has almost finished the revision of its national action plan on the i...
Austria has almost finished the revision of its national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which will be approved by the Council of Ministers by the end of this year. As for the first national action plan of 2007, civil society has been closely involved in these efforts. The revised national action plan will be guided by the set of indicators that were presented by the Secretary-General and supported by the Security Council last year. Mission gender advisors have been trained and deployment to the Balkans has begun. Austria has also followed up on its commitment to provide more adequate training for our peace workers in the field. Standard training elements on gender have been finalized and their implementation in education and pre-deployment training for our soldiers and civilian personnel will be completed in 2012. Austria has also made significant progress on its commitment to incorporate the provisions of the statute of the International Criminal Court that classifies crimes against women as crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide, as part of our national criminal code. Austria has continued its support to UN-Women and is currently exploring opportunities for cooperation with partner countries to support the development of a national action plan.