Madam chair,
The world is in turmoil and the security situation for a record high number of people, are in jeopardy.
The debate today is dedicated to Women, Peace and Security, and women’s meaningful participation and leadership in matters related to peace and security. This is a key element of Norway’s efforts in order to promote peace and security, and at the heart of own security policy. Norway has since 2006, along with 110 other member states, defined our priorities through national action plans for women, peace and security. The fifth action plan makes it clear that Norway’s work on the women, peace and security agenda is to be intensified at both national and international level, and links Norway’s national and international efforts more closely together than previously.
Norway has a long tradition in facilitating peace processes and mediation, when we are invited by parties of conflicts to do so. What we have noticed is that the space for women’s participation and leadership in mediation is still very limited. In addition, there are few conflicts being resolved peacefully, despite the Secretary General’s call to increase mediation efforts.
The question is, what can we do with this alarming trend? And does it matter to support women’s participation in this regard?
Well, firstly, Women are strategic experienced peacemakers, and research shows that inclusive processes lead to more sustainable outcomes. On the contrary, no research indicates, that peace processes are more successful when they are exclusively being negotiated by men.
Secondly, not as much attention is given to prevention of conflicts, where women’s contributions are crucial.
Studies tell us that there are local women led organizations, on the front line of conflicts zones contributing to de-escalation between communities and to avoid full fledge conflicts.
It is also local organizations that provide the first response to humanitarian needs and stay behind when the international community leave conflict areas. Those local organization contribute to build social cohesion and resilience.
In other words:
We need to have an increased focus on prevention and support to local organizations. The 1 per cent target to local organization also highlighted in the General Secretaries report is a start, but we do need to go beyond. Also in preventive peacebuilding women play a key role.
Thirdly, I want to highlight the intergenerational aspect of the women, peace and security agenda.
In order to achieve these steps just mentioned, I want to highlight the importance of cross regional cooperation and support; to galvanize the progress we have made so far and move forward with an ambitious implementation of 1325.
In 2014 the Nordic countries took the decision to establish a Nordic network of women mediators. Since that time the regional networks of women mediators have multiplied and joined each other in a Global Alliance. Those mediator networks represent a resource bank we all should use. For the first time, the Global Alliance present a statement to the security council during this open debate. We congratulate Switzerland and the Femwise to make that happen.
One thing we have learned from this Global Network, is that the challenges women participation and inclusion face, is cross-regional. We echo the Secretary General during this year’s General Assembly; “we are sorry to see that despite years of talk, gender inequality is on full display in the United Nations General Assembly Hall.” As pointedd out by the SG, less than 10% of speakers during this year’s General Debate were women.
We are excited to now have regional networks to join forces, to tackle these challenges together. We need to shift the narrative from sympathy and victimhood, to one that highlights the strength, power and remarkable positive influence, that women play in peace making, both in mediation processes, and in preventive peacebuilding.
Finally, Norway this week took over the co-chairing of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network together with Japan. This is a true multilateral network, fostering cooperation both across continents and between governments and civil society. The network has over the last three years been chaired by South-Africa, Switzerland, Romania and USA.
We are humble and grateful for the trust and opportunity. Together we will find a path forward. Women, peace and security is not just an agenda by women or for women, it is an agenda for us all.
Thank you.