Peacekeeping

The Netherlands has from the beginning put its full weight behind the implementation of 1325 and following resolutions. On 4 December 2007 the Netherlands adopted the Dutch National Action Plan (NAP) on SCR 1325, relying on a broad support base.

Women cannot be the silent bearers of the pain and sorrows of conflict, with all of the psychosocial trauma and stigmatization that implies. They are peacemakers and the very foundation of social cohesion and integration. They are an inherent part of the reconstruction and rebuilding of our country.

We are appreciative of the various notable efforts in a broad range of areas that the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other actors have made towards implementing resolution 1325 (2000). But there are many areas in which our concerted efforts are still much needed. My delegation wishes to see an increased number of women in high-ranking positions in the United Nations system, as well as peacekeepers in the field.

The directive paved the way for the deployment of NATO's first military gender advisers in the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in the autumn of last year, complementing the network of national gender advisers already fielded in some of the provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan. Gender advisers will also soon be deployed to the Kosovo Force and begin work at the level of our strategic commands.

The Alliance currently has 150,000 women and men engaged in operations from Afghanistan to the Balkans, but also off the Horn of Africa. In these gender-sensitive environments, we have made it clear that the involvement of women in operations is crucial if we want to establish relationships and trust with civil society.

In September 2009, NATO issued a military directive to all NATO commanders and allied and partner nations for the integration of resolution 1325 (2000) and gender perspectives in NATO military organizations and the planning and execution of operations. It included a strict code of behaviour for all military personnel serving in NATO-led operations.

But looking ahead, NATO intends to do more. We will continue mainstreaming resolution 1325 (2000) in our operations, recognizing that mainstreaming gender perspectives requires a continuous and shared effort until it becomes the norm. We will continue developing education and training in civilian and military frameworks.

A related, important aspect is education and training; it is one of the keys to changing mindsets. Our education institutions are engaged in this process, providing predeployment training for all civilian and military personnel of peacekeeping operations.

My delegation would like to commend the efforts undertaken by the Security Council to ensure regular reviews of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), in particular through the inclusion of the gender perspective in the resolution of conflicts and peacekeeping within the various organs and institutions of the United Nations, and the importance of the role of women in general in matters concerning peace and security.

Furthermore, significant progress has been recorded in terms of women's participation in peacekeeping operations and decision-making processes, and we welcome that progress. However, we must note that, despite those efforts, the situation of women and girls in several regions around the world remains difficult and sometimes even intolerable.