SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS

 

RESOLUTION 1325 (2000) ON WOMEN, PEACE, SECURITY

 

On 23 October, the United Nations Security Council is to hold an open debate on the coherent and effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security.

The debate will be based on the findings of the Secretary-General’s report S/2007/567 reviewing the implementation of the United Nations system-wide action plan for resolution 1325.  The resolution is regarded as one of the most influential documents in setting a policy framework that makes women -– and a gender perspective -– relevant to all areas of peace and security in general, and to addressing gender-based violence against women in particular.

“Despite repeated condemnation by the Security Council of all acts of violence in situations of armed conflict, gender-based violence, particularly rape, sexual exploitation and abuse, remain pervasive and in some situations have become systematic, widespread and unprecedented,” said Rachel Mayanja, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.

Joanne Sandler, acting Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), said that “our focus on Security Council resolution 1325 needs to be on implementation.  The world is watching.  We can prevent catastrophic damage to women, girls, communities and countries through unswerving implementation of the resolution at all levels.  Without security and peace for women, there can be no peace or security, nationally or internationally”.

The Secretary-General’s report details comprehensive efforts undertaken throughout the UN system to ensure coherent implementation of resolution 1325, from strengthening gender equality policies to designing handbooks and capacity-building initiatives to train and raise awareness of the resolution.  While highlighting measurable progress, the report notes that there is still far more to be done and recommends a more robust reporting, monitoring and accountability system to advance fuller implementation of 1325.

However, the United Nations alone cannot put a stop to violence against women.  According to the Secretary-General’s report, “without concerted efforts with Governments and civil society at the country level, the implementation of the resolution would remain elusive.  Governments have the primary responsibility for implementing the resolution.  In many conflict and post-conflict countries, national mechanisms and machineries for the advancement of women have been established, but they need to be strengthened to ensure women’s active participation in public policy formulation on matters of war and peace.  Furthermore, the active support and involvement of a broad and diverse civil society is essential for the resolution’s implementation and monitoring”. 

Linking United Nations actions to national plans for the implementation of resolution 1325 will contribute to greater accountability and responsiveness to gender equality priorities and realities on the ground.

Note:  For more information, contact Natalya Zakharova, Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement, tel.:  212 963 8134, e-mail:  Zakharova@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record