Postcard from NY#6 - Statements from our Region (Australia)

UN, New York
28 October 2011

"When we talk about conflict prevention, we are talking not just about involving women in preventative diplomacy," said Ambassador Phillipa King, the Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, "We also speak of the much broader agenda of ensuring that drivers of conflict do not have the chance to surface. Democratic institutions, the rule of law and economic development are foundations of peaceful societies. We cannot expect such societies to flourish without embracing the role that women play in shaping them."

She was responding to the UNSG Ban ki Moon's report to the Security Council Open Debate on UNSCR1325 which reaffirms that women are crucial partners in shoring up the three pillars of lasting peace: economic recovery, social cohesion and political system:

"It is not possible to create a legitimate and durable post-conflict political system that does not include full and equal participation of women in decision making."

Investing in women's capacity to engage in peace processes which affect them is key, she added, as she highlighted support for women mediators, negotiators and advisers in Indonesia and Nepal, Timor Leste and Sri Lanka, as well as the Pacific Island region:

"At the grassroots level, we have witnessed the mobilisation by women in the Pacific to ensure their voice is heard. For example, FemLINKPacific leads a community and media policy network on women, peace and security in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. Through the production of a wide range of media initiatives, they are empowering women across the Pacific to engage with decision makers at all levels on issues that affect them."

Sharon Bhagwan Rolls
Executive Director
femLINKPACIFIC

ENDS