|
New York, 28 October 2002 Mr. President, The delegation of Indonesia would like to express its appreciation to you for convening this important open debate on women and peace and security barely one week after the report of the Secretary-General was issued. In our view, this is a reflection of the importance that this subject deserves. Appreciation is also due to the Secretary-General for his detailed report, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on this issue, and in particular for his 21 far-reaching recommendations towards strengthening and accelerating the implementation of the objectives contained in that resolution. Mr. President, We have eagerly come here today to participate in this debate not only because of our complete faith in resolution 1325 (2000) and its commitment to improving the lot of women and girls during armed conflict, but because the advancement of women is accorded high importance as one of the priorities in the national policies of Indonesia. As a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Indonesia fully and willingly assumes responsibility for participating actively in international efforts to end discrimination against women. We have also continued to demonstrate our opposition to the trafficking in women and girls, and violence against women migrant workers. Many of these issues are particularly difficult to deal with after conflict might have already broken out, Mr. President, but we believe that if policies are already in place, the tackling of any violations of established law is an easier problem for the international community to deal with. It is in this connection that we agree with the Secretary-General that there is a failure on the part of the international community to convert what is already known about the impact of conflict on women and girls into specific policies, planning and implementation processes in all peace operations, humanitarian activities and reconstruction efforts. While recognizing the importance of considering the efforts being made by the Secretary-General on this issue, the delegation of Indonesia underlines the importance of their being mutually-reinforcing with those already being undertaken in the Commission on the Status of Women. Similarly, not only is the contribution of women and girls in the promotion of peace and peace processes becoming more and more important, it is also achieving greater recognition, and my delegation is happy to observe this development. The open support of the Security Council for the involvement of women and girls, as well as of peace-oriented grassroots organizations in which they are playing key roles will go a long way to enhancing their political status and relevance. In this connection, our delegation is of the view that the recommendation for Action Number 9 - which calls for the full involvement of women in negotiations of peace agreements at national and international levels, including through provision of training for women and women’s organizations on formal peace processes - merits further consideration by the international community. On a related issue, we offer our support of the expressed intention of the Secretary-General to establish a database of gender specialists and women’s groups and networks in countries and regions in conflict. We share his encouragement extended to Member States, donors and civil society, in this regard, to provide financial, political and technical support for women’s peace-building initiatives and networks. As an extension of the idea, we urge the Secretary-General, using the existing extensive network of the resources of the United Nations, to establish the stated database throughout the developing world, so that it is ready to be tapped when needed, and not only during a period of conflict. Mr. President, The commitment of Indonesia to the advancement and protection of women in both peace and conflict is reflected in our national policies, and, hence also, in our priorities at this session of the General Assembly. Towards that end, we fully encourage the progress being made in the integration of the gender perspective into all aspects of the work of the United Nations, including the Secretariat, peace processes, peacekeeping, humanitarian operations, and reconstruction and rehabilitation. We urge the Council to make more of a conscious effort to integrate gender-consciousness and perspectives into its decisions and resolutions. Needless to say, the contributions of all members and segments of society are required for peace to be maintained, or for conflict to be avoided. The involvement of women and girls is not only critical to any efforts in these directions, but also for the maintenance of the family, which remains the basic unit of society, and therefore, of social harmony. To that extent then, any investment of resources in the education and protection of women is an investment in the education and protection of society. Indeed, our delegation shares the view of the Secretary-General that it is essential that the international community increases its awareness of the differential impact of conflict on women and girls, and addresses this issue in a comprehensive manner to enable it formulate a better strategy for specific responses. Mr. President, It is two years this week since the Security Council passed resolution 1325 (2000), a powerful, well-intentioned resolution that was received with appreciation throughout the world. The report of the Secretary-General, as called for by the Council in the resolution, has now taken the process forward by bringing a set of 21 recommendations for action before the Council. It is our hope that the Council will move this process forward with appropriate pace and wisdom. I thank you, Mr. President.
|
