Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council meeting on Women, Peace and Security: “Sustaining WPS Commitments in the Context of Accelerated Drawdown of Peace Operations”
Madam President
I welcome you to the Council and thank Sierra Leone for convening this timely briefing on how we can sustain WPS commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of Peace Operations. I also thank Assistant Secretary General for Africa Ms. Martha Pobee, UN Women Executive Director, Ms. Sima Bahous, and Ms. Kholood Khair for sharing their perspectives.
Since the Security Council established the Women, Peace and Security agenda almost 25 years ago, continued action has been taken to mainstream gender perspectives into peace support operations. Successive Council resolutions have sought to strengthen the participation and leadership of women in peace processes and to improve their protection, emphasizing that their perspectives and needs must be considered at all stages.
UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions, guided by Security Council mandates, have become central in these efforts, making critical contributions in several areas. This includes increased support for women’s participation in political and peace processes, women’s engagement in conflict prevention, promoting their human rights, addressing sexual and gender-based violence and supporting women civil society organizations.
Progress has been measured through monitoring and reporting mechanisms. More recently, gender advisors and focal points and women protection advisors have been providing targeted support to Missions.
While it is understood that peacekeeping and special Missions are temporary in nature and ultimately, it would be for national authorities to own and sustain WPS efforts, it is also recognized that systems need to be established and local capacity built to ensure continuity and sustainability. This Council has emphasized that transitions should be planned from the earliest stages of Missions through partnership with host country authorities, United Nations agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
Madam President
In the ideal situation, transitions would be gradual and structured, occurring when the peace operation would have achieved its objectives and there is real progress including on the WPS front. However, in recent times we have seen several Missions in accelerated drawdown and transition modes with more on the horizon. It is thus necessary to consider what action the Council could take so that gains, including on the WPS agenda, are not reversed and the risk of relapse into conflict or escalation is minimized.
Guyana considers that the following actions can aid in in this regard.
First, it is essential that the Security Council continues to monitor country situations through the WPS lens after Mission drawdowns. The Council should request that the UN Secretary General provide periodic reports with the support of relevant UN bodies such as UN Women.
Secondly, WPS related functions should be transferred from Missions to UN country teams with emphasis on supporting women’s political and economic empowerment and participation, addressing education and health needs, promoting strong protection and justice systems including in relation to sexual and gender-based violence and provision of support to local women civil society organizations. It is also important for national authorities to be engaged on the value of honouring WPS commitments and strengthening their capacities to deliver on same. Given the increasing role of regional organizations, they too must be engaged to safeguard the gains made. The views of women must be taken into account in all of these engagements. Ms. Kholood Khair’s presentation demonstrated the importance of such engagement.
Thirdly and critically, the question of funding, as highlighted by Executive Director Bahous, must be addressed. The UN General Assembly, through its Fifth Committee, must consider resource gaps created by the departure of peace operations when allocating funding to UN Agencies that would now have increased responsibilities. This should be complemented by international donor funding.
Finally, I highlight potential roles of the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Support Office in supporting efforts and mobilizing resources for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment as an integral part of post-conflict peacebuilding.
Madam President
While accelerated drawdowns are not ideal, Guyana believes that with political will, adequate resources, international support, strategic monitoring and effective mechanisms for accountability, WPS commitments can be realized. It must be underscored, as was recognized in resolution 1889 of 2009, that to achieve durable peace, security and reconciliation, women’s empowerment and inclusion in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction are crucial.
I thank you.
