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STATEMENT

BY

REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE

 

“WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY: STRENGTHENING WOMEN’S RESILIENCE AND LEADERSHIP AS A PATH TO PEACE IN REGIONS PLAGUED BY ARMED GROUPS”

 

20 OCTOBER 2022, NEW YORK

 

 

Mr. President,

 

My delegation would like to express our appreciation to you for convening this important Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) with a focus on strengthening women’s resilience and leadership as a path to peace in regions plagued by armed groups.  Malaysia would also like to thank the briefers for their briefing.

 

Mr. President,

 

2.         Malaysia is concerned with reports of a surge in negative trends globally against the WPS agenda. We note with discomfort of the regress in commitment on gender equality as well as rise in violence and attacks committed against women human rights defenders including journalists in many parts of the world. Clearly, more are needed to be done to dismantle structures that support and promote barriers towards building sustained peace and security.  In this regard, we must rejuvenate efforts to advance the WPS agenda by giving greater attention to ensuring better protection to women peace advocates including through political, financial and capacity building support.

 

3.         Malaysia remains convinced that women’s participation is key to the success and longevity of peace processes. We are committed to building capacity and advancing the WPS agenda at the national, regional and international levels. We continue to support UN Women including by contributing financially, to enhance meaningful participation and integration of gender perspectives in peace and security actions.

 

4.         Malaysia is fully committed to support the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) including in increasing the number of civilians and uniformed women personnel in peacekeeping missions at all levels and in key positions. Currently, 849 Malaysian peacekeepers are serving in 5 UN peacekeeping operations and 85 of them are women peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Western Sahara.  We are also preparing our National Action Plan on WPS.

 

5.         At the regional level, Malaysia along with our ASEAN members will continue to apply a gender lens in our collective efforts to integrate WPS in Southeast Asia. Several milestones have been achieved including through the establishment of the the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry and Expanded Advisory Group on Women Peace and Security as well as participation of ASEAN women military and law enforcement officers in UN peacekeeping operations. We look forward to the planned adoption of the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security by ASEAN Leaders at the upcoming 40^th ASEAN Summit next month.

 

7.         Malaysia believes ASEAN has a lot to offer in strengthening women’s leadership and resilience in peace and security activities. We believe it is important to share among others our mediation, disaster management and capacity building experiences while at the same time, learn from others as we strive to break the barriers in realising the WPS agenda.

 

Mr. President,

 

8.         No one should borne the brunt of wars and conflicts. We must put greater efforts to encourage dialogue, constructive engagement and peaceful resolution to prevent conflict and war. In the meantime, we must do more to improve gender equality in peace processes. We must create a conducive environment for women peacekeepers and peacebuilders to enable them to take on their rightful place and roles towards building lasting peace.

 

Thank you for your attention.