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STATEMENT BY

NORDIANA ZIN ZAWAWI

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE

 

“WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY: TOWARDS THE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY OF RESOLUTION 1325 (2000)

 

7 MARCH 2023, NEW YORK

 

 

Madam President,

 

Malaysia would like to express appreciation to you for convening today’s Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security.  Malaysia would also like to thank the briefers for their briefing.   Our delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of ASEAN.

 

Madam President,

 

23 years have passed since Resolution 1325 was unanimously adopted by the Security Council.  The Resolution affirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as in peace-building initiatives.  We have heard earlier in this session that global efforts to advance the agenda of women, peace and security have, regretfully, regressed.  The fact remains that women continue to be largely excluded from processes to achieve peace and justice.  It is observed that some peace agreements lack provisions that prioritize the security and safety of women and girls.  Malaysia views with concern how rhetorical support on this agenda has continued to outpace its actual achievement.

 

            Advancing the agenda of women, peace and security should be in tandem with efforts towards the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 5 which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and Goal 16 – to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. As a matter of fact, gender equality should be systematically integrated in all the agenda to further empower the role of women in achieving sustainable peace.

 

Madam President,

 

The importance that Malaysia attaches on the protection of women’s rights is reflected through Malaysia’s National Policy on Women, which was formulated in 1989. The key objectives to this policy are access to opportunities, equitable sharing of resources and to integrate women in all sectors possible towards an inclusive and prosperous nation. Under this framework, Malaysia equally recognizes that women have a critical role in the ending of wars and in maintaining peace.

 

As of November 2022, out of 849 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) personnel deployed to five UN peacekeeping operations, 11.5% or 98 of them are women. Malaysia has observed that the presence and active participation of women peacekeepers in conflict zones can facilitate interaction and confidence-building with local communities and affected populations, particularly with women and children. In this regard, Malaysia remains convinced that women’s active participation and positive role are critical success factors in a peace process. 

 

Madam President,

 

Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres has stated that achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls are the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge today.  At the current rate of progress, Malaysia wholeheartedly agree with the Secretary-General’s statement.  More needs to be done to achieve meaningful gender equality.  Excluding women from contributing and playing constructive role in peace and security, is no longer an option.

 

Thank you.