STATEMENT BY
MS. NORDIANA ZIN ZAWAWI, COUNSELLOR
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE
ON “WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY:
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE”
25 OCTOBER 2023, NEW YORK
Mr. President,
At the outset, my delegation would like to express our appreciation to Brazil for convening this important debate. Malaysia would also like to thank the briefers for their insights and assessment. Our delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN.
Mr. President,
2. The landmark Resolution 1325 (2000) reaffirms the significant role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and in peace-building initiatives. It calls upon Member States to increase representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions. The resolution and other relevant resolutions, are evident of the unequivocal trust and confidence that we put in women as agents of change in the maintenance of peace and security.
3. Today, 23 years after its adoption, it is time that we take stock on the progress made, and get our priorities straight. Against the backdrop of heightened violence in armed conflict across the region, the regress in global efforts to advance the agenda of women, peace and security is highly regrettable. It is alarming that despite notable achievement, the progress has been too slow, too narrow and made easy to reverse. Women continue to be marginalized from peace- processes and excluded from decisionmaking positions. It is unfortunate but unsurprising that this structural exclusion correlates with the prolong of conflict as reported in the UNSG’s report on Women, Peace and Security.
Mr. President,
4. Consistent with the goals of Malaysia’s National Policy on Women launched in 1989, efforts have been undertaken to ensure women’s participation in the process of decision- making at all levels. The formulation of Malaysia’s national policies take into account gender perspective in the process of furthering our domestic and global peace and security. This also serves as a basis of the deployment of 868 Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police to five UN Peacekeeping operations, of which 96 are female. There’s a pressing need for more women to be included in peace processes, as their qualities of compassion and empathetic-listening are invaluable assets in addressing issues like gender-based crimes, and conflict-related sexual violence in armed conflict.
5. As a member of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia also fully endorses the ASEAN Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and Security adopted in November 2017. The ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS subsequently launched in 2021, is a further testament to our commitment in advancing the implementation of the WPS agenda to promote sustainable peace and security for all citizens in the region.
Mr. President,
6. Malaysia has women- leaders at multiple disciplines of peace and security- among others our chief of justice, parliamentarians, top diplomats, peacekeepers and security forces. Fortified with courage and resilience, these inspiring ladies broke through the glass ceiling through ambition and competence. Going forward, we will continue to ensure that women continue to play a key role in Malaysia’s engagements towards maintaining international peace and security.
I thank you.