President,
I am honoured to make this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.
Last week, the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, established that the number of armed conflicts in the world has reached a historic high. There are now 61 active conflicts.
We firmly maintain that respect for international law, is essential for peace, security and development.
In this chamber we are often reminded of the direct casualties of war.
However, the secondary effects of conflict, and how they negatively impact development, are less talked about:
Armed conflict undermines health systems, leading to increased mortality.
War disrupts education systems, with effects on future incomes.
Conflict destroys infrastructure, impedes access to clean water and food, and damages the environment.
Conflict results in forced displacement.
We also have the invisible war wounds. The traumas and long-term effects on mental health, which can persist for generations.
Poverty and underdevelopment, in turn, can also drive instability. A combination of weak governance and marginalized communities, often increases the risk of violence.
President,
To break today´s vicious spiral of escalating armed conflict on the one hand, and growing poverty and underdevelopment on the other, I want to focus on one aspect:
The importance of empowering women and girls.
Promoting gender equality is key to achieving peace, security and development.
This is not just a statement taken out of thin air.
Studies show that women are more likely than men to invest their earnings in their families and communities. Investing in women is one of the smartest things to do to break the poverty trap. That includes ensuring their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
GDP per capita would be almost 20 percent higher on average across countries, if gender employment gaps were closed.
We also know that women’s political participation leads to more long-term peace and stability.
Research shows that peace agreements with women signatories have higher rates of implementation and last longer.
Yet, women make up only 5 percent of the negotiators, 9 percent of the mediators and 19 percent of the signatories.
Given this and other evidence at hand, we conclude that it is unrealistic – even impossible – to expect peace, security, and development to happen unless we take gender equality more seriously.
Therefore, we call on the Security Council to place women, peace and security high on the agenda, and encourage all member states to step up their efforts for gender equality.
I thank you.