Security Council Open Debate on Women and peace and security “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment”
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia
25 October 2024, New York
President,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and would like to add the following.
Estonia welcomes this very topical open debate and would like to thank the distinguished briefers for their presentations.
President,
Next year, we mark 25 years since the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This anniversary will provide an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the gaps to be filled. We have achieved tangible results. But, amid record levels of armed conflicts and violence, this progress is in jeopardy and far from enough.
UN Secretary-General’s reports have consistently warned us about regression across key indicators on women, peace and security. Unfortunately, as the latest report underlines, these negative trends are intensifying.
Crises and conflicts deepen existing gender gaps. There’s an urgent need to stand up for women’s rights in Afghanistan, the DRC, Gaza, Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and other conflict affected countries and regions. As we speak, Russia – a permanent member of the UN Security Council – continues to commit war crimes, inflicting daily suffering on the Ukrainian people, including women and girls. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia scream for justice while their mothers, sisters and close ones go through hell in an attempt to get them back. We condemn the widespread and systematic use of torture and ill-treatment, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, be it in Ukraine or elsewhere. We commend Ukraine’s commitment to advancing gender equality while defending itself against Russia’s aggression.
President,
Implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda requires comprehensive, all-inclusive efforts and a holistic approach. Leveraging new technologies and digital tools is essential for enhancing women’s roles in peace and security initiatives. The digital landscape presents unique opportunities to empower women and amplify their voices. At the same time, it involves enormous threats, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This is why we have highlighted cybersecurity issues in the context of implementing Resolution 1325 also in our already third National Action Plan.
To conclude, allow me to once again stress the importance and urgency of ensuring women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation at all levels of decision making. This is the key to establish lasting peace in conflict affected areas, and elsewhere.
Thank you.