ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY
STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR JAMES LARSEN, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
As delivered
24 October 2024
President, thank you indeed.
Australia is pleased to contribute to this Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, which takes place against the backdrop of the highest levels of global conflict since World War II.
Even in our own region, in Myanmar, women human rights defenders and civil society organisations are under attack.
Since the military takeover, more than 5,000 women have been arrested, and hundreds of women human rights defenders have been forced to flee.
First, let me take this opportunity to thank Switzerland for its leadership on this issue during its Security Council Presidency.
Building and sustaining peace has never been more important.
And implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is at the heart of our success.
Studies have shown, again and again, that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all stages of the peace process makes peace more likely and more durable.
And yet, implementation of the women, peace and security agenda continues to lag.
We continue to see increasing pushback against the human rights of women and girls, and gender equality. And, this flies in the face of the rules-based order that holds our global community together.
Australia is committed to four key areas designed to accelerate the WPS agenda.
First, Australia is championing accountability for gender-based crimes.
Last month, Australia, with Germany, Canada and the Netherlands invoked Afghanistan’s responsibility under international law for violations of the rights of women and girls.
By doing so, we sent a clear message that we will not accept a world where women and girls are erased from society.
Second, Australia is supporting women-led initiatives to resolve disputes and protect women peacebuilders.
In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, these networks are increasing women’s participation leading to stronger conflict resolution outcomes.
And in recognition of this, Australia has committed some $2 million USD to establish the Pacific Women Mediator Network. Harnessing the local knowledge and power of affected communities, this initiative has helped Pacific countries respond to the mounting challenges climate change poses to the WPS Agenda.
Third, we believe that now is the time to accelerate efforts for more women to deploy and lead UN peacekeeping operations, bringing them to the frontlines of building durable peace. While women’s participation in peacekeeping is moving in the right direction, they still make up only 8 per cent of blue helmets overall.
Our support for the Elsie Initiative Fund has been a key catalyst for this change. Gender parity in peacekeeping is possible; but only if we hold ourselves accountable.
Fourth, we are supporting the efforts of our global partners to implement gender-responsive peace and security actions. I am pleased that Australia has recently agreed to associate with the 2024 NATO Policy on WPS.
This association is a clear signal of Australia’s support of NATO’s ongoing commitment to advancing the women, peace and security agenda, including efforts to integrate WPS across its operations.
In conclusion
Through our engagement with partners – whether organisations like NATO, our Indo-Pacific and global partners, or with women-led civil society – Australia continues to progress our own National Action Plan to advance the WPS agenda.
In closing, Australia adds its voice to calls to move from rhetoric to action.
The women, peace and security agenda will not implement itself.
Women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, survivors and community leaders are the largest and most reliable constituency for peace.
We can no longer fail to offer them our fullest support.
I thank you.