The number of members of the Security Council who are co-sponsoring today’s event is a clear and undisputable reflection of the strong support to women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes by Council members across the regions.
Estonia is proud to be a part of this group.
We are, however, less glad with how we collectively have done so far in implementing this objective – which is essential for sustainable peace. Women’s participation in peace processes remains low, though not due to the lack of women’s initiative and efforts. We still need to get much better at combining expertise, experience, resources and political will to achieve it.
Estonia therefore fully endorses the call to the UN to “show the power of its example” by insisting on the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes – be it in Syria, Yemen or Libya. It cannot let down women who have risked their lives to take part in deciding their countries´ future.
I emphasise that the cornerstone for the realisation of women’s participation is the protection of the human rights and the empowerment of women and girls. It is not something that we can afford to focus on further down the line, but a proven factor for a country’s resilience or fragility.
Women’s participation in political and peace processes is too often associated with reprisals and targeted attacks against women activists, human rights defenders, leaders and public figures. The UN system and we, as member states, need to follow up with coordinated and systemic measures to protect them better.
Estonia is compiling its third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security – for us, it is also an opportunity to analyse and build on the experience gained on means we can support women’s participation.
We thank the presenters today for the exchange of ideas on how the UN can do better in ensuring women’s participation in UN-led peace processes. The objective of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in securing peace is shared by countries beyond the Security Council and an essential expression of women’s equal right to participation and decision- making in public life – which we sincerely hope will be reflected in this year’s CSW outcome as well.
Thank you.
