Women, Peace and Security

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Mr. President, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,

When Security Council resolution 1325 was adopted 15 years ago, we believed it would result in more sustainable peace and greater security. Today we know we were right.

Recent research shows that peace processes that genuinely include women are more likely to lead to an agreement, and more likely to last.

So why then, are women still often absent from the negotiating table? Why are their voices not heard even when they are present? Although there has been a steady increase in the number of women mediators and gender experts, we still have a way to go.

We have learnt that political will and budget lines can put gender on the agenda, even in times of war.

This is why Norway has earmarked funds to implement Women, Peace and Security on the ground. For several years, we have allocated approximately 4 million US dollars to the work of civil society organisations. Ten percent of the resources spent on peace and reconciliation efforts in focus countries are to be allocated to Women, Peace and Security. Approximately 3.6 million US dollars are earmarked specifically for the integration of the gender perspective in our humanitarian assistance in 2015.

We are celebrating progress today, and rightly so. But this is also a day of impatience. Two weeks ago, we all committed to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. We also committed to achieving gender equality and to empowering all women and girls. Clearly, we should know by now, that we cannot achieve one without the other.

I am proud to say that in all peace and security efforts where Norway is engaged, women's and men's needs, priorities and rights are to be taken into account. Sexual violence in conflict shall be fought.

The Norwegian National Joint Headquarters requires knowledge of 1325 as a generic demand for all Norwegian personnel who are to be deployed to international operations. The gender perspective is an integral part of all Norwegian pre-deployment training.

We are proud of the role we have played as facilitator in the Colombia process, where women are at the table and are making their voices heard. Norway aims to increase the participation of women in peace processes. Inspired by the African women mediators' network, we are now establishing a Nordic women mediators' network.

Norway is also providing funding to the Global Alliance of Women Countering Extremism and Promoting Peace, Rights and Pluralism because we recognise the need to get women on board if we are to succeed in fighting violent extremism.

Regional organisations have a key role to play. NATO is now working to integrate the Women, Peace and Security –agenda into all its activities and operations. We will continue to work with NATO. Norway also recently signed an agreement on providing support to the office of the African Union Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security.

Fifteen years ago, the Security Council and the UN started something big. We depend on your continued leadership.

Norway will continue to raise the 1325 agenda whenever there are discussions about peace and security. Because we want peace, and we want a peace that lasts.

Thank you.