UN calls for ensuring women’s participation in sustaining peace

(Oct.27,2010) The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary of the landmark resolution on women, peace and security by calling for the full and effective participation of women at all stages of peace processes, and for ending the abuse of women and girls in armed conflict. Adopted on 31 October 2000, resolution 1325 marked the culmination of years of concerted appeals and efforts, especially by civil society and women’s organizations, to draw attention and seek action to reverse the inhumane treatment of women and girls, the denial of their human rights and their exclusion from decision-making in situations of armed conflict.
In a presidential statement adopted at the start of Tuesday’s meeting, the Council noted with grave concern that women’s participation at all stages of peace processes, and in the implementation of peace accords remains too low. It also reiterated its demand to all parties to armed conflict, to immediately and completely cease all forms of violence against women and girls, including acts of sexual violence.
“Resolution 1325 will never be implemented successfully until we end sexual violence in conflict,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is currently on an official visit to South-East Asia, said in a video message to the Council meeting. “We must hold those responsible to account, whether the crimes are committed by State or non-State parties,” he added.