What can be done to close this gap? First, in regard to the UN level, we commend UN Women for its work in leading the mainstreaming efforts to include, wherever possible, a gender perspective in UN activities and measuring progress made in implementing resolution 1325 against the indicators.
Third, with regard to the national level: Last year the German Government presented its third report to Parliament on its implementation of SR resolution 1325. It contains, inter alia, projects on gender training, including for UN peacekeepers, prevention of sexual violence, enabling women's participation in peace-processes as well as their unhindered access to justice.
The PRST to be adopted today clearly recognizes once again the significant role of women in prevention, conflict resolution and post conflict rebuilding. Including women in peace initiatives is not a benevolent act, we see it as a key requirement to any lasting, sustainable peace. Women's participation will strengthen the capacity to resolve conflict and build security and justice systems that protect the human rights of all.
Second, at the level of EU and NATO: Both within the European Common Foreign and Security Policy and NATO, the implementation of 1325 in relation to conflict resolution has progressed. Forces are better informed on gender issues. And we are beginning to see the benefits of a new awareness and understanding where it matters - in the communities where soldiers are deployed.
As a member of the “Group of Friends of Security Council Resolution 1325” Germany has always attached great importance to all aspects of the issue “Women and Peace and Security” – in particular to turn, 11 years after the adoption of this ground breaking resolution, words into action.
Fourth and last, the Security Council could do more to systematically integrate women, peace and security issues in its daily work, including when mandating or renewing UN missions. Envoys and Special Representatives should address those issues, where relevant, in their briefings to the Council. I would like to conclude, Madam President, by expressing Germany's support for the presidential statement adopted today.
We note that much progress has been made in developing a normative framework to strengthen the action of the international community. Resolution 1325 (2000) is the foundation of that structure. That foundation has expanded and now forms a body with resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010).
The Security Council reached a consensus more than a decade ago in recognizing, through the adoption on 31 October 2000 of resolution 1325 (2000), the decisive role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. In its presidential statement S/PRST/2001/31, the Council made commitments on this issue.
The obstacles to women taking a broader role are often cultural in nature. We believe that this aspect can be addressed in the Secretary-General's report devoted to the high-level meeting scheduled for 2015. We also encourage UN-Women to work more on overcoming cultural obstacles that can hinder peacebuilding. Greater action by UN-Women, particularly in Africa, can be decisive.
In the matter under discussion, three areas seem to us essential for coherent and fruitful action. First, we must strengthen our normative framework at the international, regional and national levels. Secondly, we must work to strengthen capacities, especially through peacekeeping missions and in the post-conflict peacebuilding and reconstruction phase.
