General Women, Peace and Security

My country has always been a strong advocate of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, and will, of course, remain so. In his report, the Secretary-General clearly highlights how sexual violence persists in many societies as a common practice that is often invisible and too rarely prosecuted.

Women do not become victims by virtue of who they are, or as the result of nature or fate. Women are particularly susceptible to becoming victims of violence in conflict most especially because we are already victims of discrimination during peaceful times.

We cannot explain why sexual violence against women and sexist and gender-based violence has occurred with growing and overwhelming frequency in armed conflicts, unless we also add to the equation the inequality between men and women, gender stereotypes and the reproduction of hierarchical and discriminatory relationships in which women find themselves materially subordinate and symbolically devalued in various times and cultures.

Resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, together with other Council resolutions, signified and still represents a huge breakthrough. In that resolution, the Council recognized the fundamental role that women played in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding.

It is apposite, because as we have seen in recent conflicts, specific and systematic forms of sexual violence are carried out against women, young women and girls. In that connection, I would like to share with the Council the testimony of a social activist who, for the simple act of thinking and saying that the world is unjust and unequal, was disappeared, tortured and raped during the recent civilian military dictatorship in my country.

It is also true that the general needs of women must be recognized, as that is fundamental in meeting the specific diverse and multifaceted needs of women. We must understand the local and cultural context, which is crucial to understanding and responding to conflict- related violence.

Protecting and promoting the rights of the Afghan people has been the cornerstone of all our efforts to build a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Central to those efforts is enabling women to regain their historical role as proactive citizens in Afghan society. Afghanistan is pursuing the vigorous implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) through our national priority programme.

In reference to an observation made in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/149), we wish to state with full confidence that the Government and the people of Afghanistan do not and will not tolerate impunity against any form of human rights violation. Together with our judicial authorities, the Afghan National Security Forces are working diligently to uphold law and order in all areas of the country.

Over the past decade, Afghan women have emerged from the total oppression imposed by Taliban rule. Women are essential partners in and contributors to the building of a strong civil society and a stable nation. Afghan women hold office at the national, provincial and local levels, and serve on the High Peace Council and in provincial peace councils.

We urge the United Nations to continue its support for systematic monitoring and reporting on the gender commitments contained in the Tokyo Declaration and Mutual Accountability Framework.