General Assembly Security Council

 STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BHAGWANT BISHNOI, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE,  AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY, ON  OCTOBER 28, 2014

 

 Madam President,

 

We thank you for organizing this debate on matter of considerable importance.  We also thank the Secretary General for his opening remarks and the Executive Director of UN Women, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the representatives of Civil Society for the briefing.

 

Madam President,

 

  It is a fact that women bear a disproportionately higher share of the burden of conflict, but have a marginal say on matters of war and peace.  This is a function of the gender imbalance in our societies reflected in positions of power and influence.  It is, therefore, important to underline that equal participation of women in power structures and their full involvement in all efforts for the prevention and resolution of conflicts is essential for maintenance and promotion of peace and security.  To put it simply, women should occupy positions of influence.  Looking at you, Madam President, we feel satisfaction that there is some progress in this direction. 

 

Madam President,

 

  In its resolution 1325 (2000), The Security Council set out a visionary agenda for achieving gender equality as a prerequisite for peaceful, inclusive and just societies.  As the Secretary General has noted, considerable progress has been made at the normative level.  The challenge lies in implementation and in sustaining progress.  Of particular concern is extremism and targeted violence and human rights violations linked to terrorism committed against women and girls. 

 

  There is a need to specifically address the situation relating to displaced women and girls.  As the concept note circulated by the Presidency indicates, every single day in 2013, some 32,000 people were displaced from their homes by violent conflicts.  Three quarters of the refugees and IDP population are women and children.  We support the recommendation that a gender perspective be integrated in policies relating to refugees and IDP. 

 

Madam President,

 

  We do not subscribe to the view that women should form part of the military component of peace keeping missions.  No useful purpose would be served if women become a part of military culture and glorified it.  That said, we do feel that women can play an important role in police functions.  Research has repeatedly shown that women perform better than men in certain specific police duties.  We are, therefore, happy to contribute an all Female Form Police Unit for UNMIL in Liberia.  I will also take this opportunity to mention the lady Indian Inspector Shakti Devi, who has been deployed in the UN Mission in Afghanistan.  She was recently awarded the International Female Police Peacekeepers Award.  Devi, was given the award for exceptional achievements in the establishment of Women Police Councils in several parts of Afghanistan.  Her consistent engagement in improving services for victims of sexually and gender based violence has led to a number of cases of successful investigation and prosecution.  We are proud that the work of this Indian lady police officer in an UN peacekeeping mission inspires others to follow her example in the quest to redress the disproportionate burden that women bear in times of war and conflict.

 

 

 

Madam President,

 

  There is a point which we have made in the Council before.  By definition, it is states that are parties to the treaty-based system of international law.  By and large, they respect them, and whey they do not, penalties arise through the provisions of the treaties.  When their actions gravely threaten peace and security, sanctions can be brought against them by action in this Council.  The most egregious crimes against women in times of conflict, however, have been and are committed by irregular forces, often warring against governments.  They obey no laws and are, as experience has shown, much more immune to sanctions than governments are.  The Council needs to focus its attention on these forces which are responsible for the bulk of the crimes that are committed against women.

 

  Situations of conflict vary.  Each has its own causes and consequences.  Clearly, there cannot be off-the-shelf remedies or panaceas.  We need to take practical and effective steps to mitigate the impact of conflict on women and to enhance their ability to restore and preserve peace. 

 

This will be our last statement in the Security Council under your Presidency.  We would, therefore, like to place on record our very warm appreciation for the work of your delegation in the Council and for the maturity and understanding your country has brought to issues relating to the maintenance of international peace and security.

 

 

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