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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Tuesday convened an open meeting to mark the 15th anniversary the adoption of the United Nations Security Council's resolution 1325, with renewed commitment to the landmark resolution, which recognized the role of women in peace-building processes.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led the speakers at the open council session and he declared his commitment to the inclusion of women in peace-building processes, while the 15-nation Security Council adopted a new text by which it decided to integrate women, peace and security concerns across all country-specific situations on its agenda, within relevant contexts.
"Fifteen years ago, Security Council resolution 1325 underscored the pivotal link between gender and international peace and security," Ban said in his opening remarks to the day-long meeting. "Since then, this Council has adopted several resolutions on women, peace and security -- each of them a call to action for the international community."
The open meeting was chaired by visiting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey, whose country holds the Council's presidency for the month of October. A full house of spectators witnessed the open meeting, which attracted 112 speakers, a record high for a Security Council meeting, according UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.
In the newly adopted resolution, the Security Council recognized the ongoing need for greater integration of resolution 1325 in its own work, and expressed its intention to dedicate periodic Council consultations on country situations to the topic of women, peace and security implementation, as well as the intention to ensure Security Council missions take into account gender considerations and the rights of women.
Citing his own commitment to implementing resolution 1325, the UN chief noted that he had appointed five women as his special representatives in peacekeeping missions, adding that he had also appointed the first-ever female Force Commander, Major General Kristin Lund, in Cyprus.
He proposed the implementation of resolution 1325 "must be aligned with the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals," adopted by world leaders here in late September as a blueprint for the global sustainable development efforts for the next 15 years.
Ban also highlighted the three major reviews of UN peace operations, peacebuilding architecture and women, peace and security that had recently been conducted. "One common theme has emerged: any reforms must include gender equality and women's leadership as central ingredients, and must be strongly grounded in human rights."
He stressed particular attention should be given to women who are the most vulnerable, particularly indigenous women.
"We must also do much more to combat the growing spread of violent extremism," he continued. "Groups such as Da'esh (also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL) and Boko Haram have mercilessly targeted women and girls," said the secretary-general.
Meanwhile, Ban noted that the systematic killings, torture, rape and sexual slavery by Da'esh against the Yazidi community may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. "We must ensure accountability," he said.
The secretary-general spoke of the restructuring of the gender architecture of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in headquarters and field missions, as well as the work of the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) to bolster the capacity of its gender team in the headquarters and to keep the engagement and participation of women in peacemaking.
The UN Department of Field Support (DFS) was working to implement strengthened measures to address sexual exploitation and abuse, and to increase the representation of women in peacekeeping, especially at the senior management level.
He also indicated his personal commitment to reach the target of 15 percent of peacebuilding funds devoted to projects that address gender equality and the empowerment of women, and the expansion of this target in emerging areas of peace and security threats, particularly with regard to violent extremism.
While addressing the meeting, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said "the voices of women leaders and frontline activists for peace are rare in this forum ... but they are the most important voices you will hear today."
Saying that vibrant women's movements work tirelessly to realize justice and reconciliation, Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the relevance of resolution of 1325, as well as "the very missed opportunities where it has not been put into effect, with dire cost."
She cited the successes obtained in peace processes in Colombia and the Philippines because of the contributions of women in those processes and stressed the "meaningful inclusion of women" is needed to build peace.
At the same time, she also noted the importance of sustainable peace agreements and enhancing economic recovery after conflicts, as well as combatting violent extremism.
A global study, launched Monday at UN Headquarters in New York, highlights the need for more women in mediation support teams, as well as more regular consultation with civil society leaders, as well as more robust actions to combat sexual violence.
Speaking on behalf of civil society, Julienne Lusenge and Yanar Mohammed of the NGO (non-governmental organizations) Working Group on Women, Peace and Security addressed the Council, as did Alaa Murabit of the NGO Voice of Libyan Women.
Mohammed of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and cofounder and President of Women's Freedom in Iraq said that peace will "never be established" in Iraq and Syria without the proper implementation of resolution 1325.
She said that research showed that "women's meaningful participation" in peace processes was an effective tool to combat extremism and that the inclusion of women in the Geneva peace process was critical to prevent resurgence of violent extremism.
"Extremism is not only an Iraqi or Syrian problem," she said. "Lessons from our region must be applied globally."
"What is primarily lacking is the political will," said Mohammed, who urged the Security Council and the entire international community "to take action on its commitments."
