Statement by representative of the Russian Federation Mr. Stepan Kuzmenkov at open “Arria-formula” VTC of UNSC Member States “Call to Lead by Example: Ensuring the Full, Equal and Meaningful Participation of Women in UN-led Peace Processes”
Chairs,
At the outset let me wish a Happy International Women’s Day to everyone. Women in Russia are proud to be at the forefront of the international womens’ movement as far as the beginning of the XX century. In our country women’s rights and equal participation of women in political processes were ensured long before it became a rule on international level.
We express our appreciation for organizing this discussion on women’s participation in peace processes. The need to promote women’s inclusion and decision-making at all stages of peace process has been well recognized. It is obvious that these efforts will be more effective when they emerge from national efforts with the assistance and support of international community.
Last year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1325 and the establishment of the "Women, peace and security” agenda. It was a great disappointment to realize that there was no consensus anymore on this important topic. The reason is that some well-known countries seek for “monopoly” on the Agenda, taking it away from the mandate of the Security Council on the maintenance of international peace and security and towards the protection of human rights. At the same time they are arrogantly turning down other Security Council member’s initiatives aimed at contributing to the balanced discussion across all the WPS pillars.
We would like to remind that national governments hold the primary responsibility on the protection of their people. It is only through cooperation with the governments of states in situation of armed conflict and respect to their sovereignty that we can achieve a real progress in peace processes. Special emphasis must be made on the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, rather than the threat of, or use of force.
The Russian Federation has been consistently supporting measures aimed at creating an enabling environment for the increased inclusion of women in the prevention and resolution of armed conflict, as well as women’s active participation in every possible aspect of peace negotiations.
In 2020 report on WPS the UN Secretary General highlighted the importance of addressing the economic inequality. The international community should pay more attention to economic reconstruction and development in post-conflict countries, facilitate the empowerment of women and assist in building their capacity to serve as a significant force in bringing peace and stability to their homeland. Women’s economic empowerment, including access to decent work, is key to sustaining peace, improving their incomes and livelihoods. Increased protection and support has to be provided to the family, as a fundamental group of society, and female-headed households. These are impossible, while a country in armed conflict is under unilateral coercive measures, which don’t allow women to have access to assets, productive resources, healthcare and education, leave them vulnerable to extreme poverty, hunger and loss of job opportunities. These are the issues the Security Council can and has to solve.
Having said that, we are compelled to conclude that the Informal Experts Group of the Security Council on WPS has not succeeded in fulfilling the aspirations upon its creation. Under the leadership of the previous co-chairs it has been unable either to avoid a certain degree of politicization in its work, or to elaborate genuinely transparent and democratic procedures for the development of its outcomes, which is prerequisite for mutually respectful dialogue.
We are convinced that in order to effectively advance the WPS agenda, it is crucial to focus on concrete actions, avoid duplication in the work of the United Nations and respect the division of labour between its organs, including their subsidiary bodies.
Thank you.
