General Women, Peace and Security

SADC takes this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his report contained in document
S/2008/622, which provides an assessment of measures taken to enhance the implementation of
resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security. We also take note of the assessment on the
progress made in the protection of women against sexual and gender-based violence. The report

In our resolve to mainstream a gender perspective into all aspects of our lives, SADC heads of
State signed the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development on 17 August 2008. That instrument
has been hailed as an important step towards the empowerment of women, the elimination of
discrimination and the achievement of gender equality and equity. In the context of peace and

In conclusion, I wish to state that SADC remains committed to the full and effective
implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We, as the international community, have an
obligation to women the world over to ensure that their rights are promoted and their place in all
aspects of the peace process is assured. It is their equal participation and their full involvement

We welcome the concrete steps taken by the United Nations system to guarantee the exercise of
women's rights. We believe that there is a need to make more active use of the expertise of the
Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. At the same time, we note that the
Secretary-General's report does not provide a comprehensive response to the Council's earlier

Over the past eight years, the Security Council has closely followed the implementation of
resolution 1325 (2000). The report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/622) clearly indicates that the
overall peace and security architecture of the United Nations has been more sensitive to women's
needs in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict societies. However, a noticeable gap

We believe that a drastic solution to the problem of violence against women is to resolve conflicts,
to settle them at the very outset, to ensure that peace prevails, to set up an effective and
transparent security sector, to accelerate development in post-conflict States and to strengthen the
role of women in all fields. That is something in which the United Nations specialized agencies

Mr. Dabbashi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): Eight years have passed since the
adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). Generally speaking, we are satisfied with the implementation
of the resolution by the United Nations and on the national level by States throughout the world.
However, the situation of women and girls in conflict zones remains a source of great concern, as

Women are key social, political and economic actors in the success of
stabilization and rebuilding efforts. At the same time, they are the stakeholders that
can face discrimination in these processes. My Government, in it's firm
commitment to women's rights, would like to confirm on this occasion its
commitment to promote the full implementation of Resolution 1325 in all U.N.
fora*

While 1820 was a major step in implementing the protection pillar of
Resolution 1325, action is needed also on other pillars. We thus welcome the
President's initiative to focus today's debate on women's participation.

While providing such space of opportunity is desirable and important, it is also vital to provide beforehand an ample space for women to make their own choices. A space, in which, women can feel secure and free from the harms of violence and reprisal. A space, in which, women can enjoy the freedom and liberty to make informed decisions for their own life.