Peacekeeping

Fiji is fully committed to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). This commitment is exemplified in our continuing efforts to meet the goals set out in the four broad thematic areas of the United Nations System-wide Action Plan. In the area of participation, our policies strongly encourage the recruitment of women in our security forces and their deployment, with equal opportunities, to peacekeeping missions.

First, it includes steps to increase gender related expertise, as well as general awareness and support for the inclusion of gender perspective in crisis management at all levels through enhanced training.

Estonia, as a member of a number of regional organisations and the UN, continues to expand its contribution to international peace and security. We continue to participate in international civilian and military operations and contribute to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. The action plan contains commitments with regard to the inclusion of the gender perspective in these activities.

El Salvador, as a troop-contributing country, is making a significant contribution, relatively speaking, to peacekeeping operations in terms of members of its armed forces and the national civil police force. At the same time, we are also endeavouring to promote the gender perspective and the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) within those national institutions.

El Salvador acknowledges and welcomes the important contribution made by the Peacebuilding Commission to efforts to promote and strengthen the participation of women in peacebuilding following conflict. We also welcome the efforts made on a daily basis by civil society organizations, especially women's movements, aimed at incorporating the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations.

With regard to police personnel, beyond the presence of a woman — who is seated behind me — at the head of our entire police force around the world, we have set up a plan to enable us to achieve a 20 per cent proportion of our worldwide police personnel being female by 2014. As for our 15 peacekeeping missions, three are now led by women, while none were a few years ago.

We have seen in Liberia and Haiti how effective the links of female peacekeepers with the local population have been, particularly in internally displaced persons camps, as in Haiti, for example. Besides their professional qualities, those women model the principle of gender equality.

Thirdly, we will continue to engage closely with troop- and police-contributing countries to help them prepare military and police personnel with the knowledge, skills, expertise and profile to effectively implement resolution 1325 (2000).

The protection of civilians has assumed central priority in the work of peacekeeping today. We have initiated a broad policy and operational reform effort, including training, guidance and planning. Together with the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Wallström, and other United Nations partners, we are advancing a broad protection agenda.

The development of manuals and training tools for the Blue Helmets has promoted gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping missions and in predeployment planning and training of troops and police.