STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON PROTECTING PARTICIPATION – ADDRESSING VIOLENCE TARGETING WOMEN
IN PEACE AND SECURITY PROCESSES
18 JANUARY 2022, NEW YORK
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Madam President,
I thank you for convening this Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the briefers for their insightful presentation. The focus on violence targeted towards women in peace and security processes is indeed an important issue to address as we recognise the crucial role of women in efforts to build sustainable peace.
Madam President,
2. Malaysia condemns all forms of violence against women. We are deeply concerned of reports of violence, intimidation and reprisals faced by women peacebuilders, civil society representatives and human rights defenders. These reports are disturbing particularly at a time whereby the COVID-19 pandemic itself has significantly and negatively impacted women. In conflict areas, women and children are already suffering from socio-economic impacts which have only exacerbated, in the time of the pandemic. Attacks on those who are dedicated to the cause of peace, are a great setback that undermines the objectives of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions that calls for ensuring women’s participation in peace and security processes. In this regard, we call for those involved in the deliberate attacks on women in peace processes to be held accountable.
3. Malaysia also believes on the need to intensify efforts to promote women’s full and equal participation in peace and security processes as a prerequisite to achieving sustainable peace. We call for greater efforts and initiatives that are women-centered by Member States, which include gendered analysis in advancing the WPS agenda.
4. Malaysia further supports this agenda, through consistent financial contribution to UN Women in the endeavour to promote meaningful women’s participation and integration of gender perspectives in peace and security processes.
Madam President,
5. Malaysia also co-sponsored Security Council resolution 2538 on women in peacekeeping on 28 August 2020, in line with our commitment to the WPS agenda and Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative. We believe that the presence of women peacekeepers in conflict zones positively contributes to promoting inclusivity towards sustainable peace and development. This is cognisant of the fact that conflicts disproportionately effect women more than men. Rightly so, the number of women serving as peacekeepers deployed to conflict and post-conflict have increased, to ensure that peacekeeping operations are more gender-responsive. Malaysia itself is steadily increasing the number of women peacekeepers annually, and hopes to reach the targets outlined by the UN concerning the composition of women peacekeepers by 2028. This is reflective in our latest deployment under the UN banner in Lebanon, which has the largest number of women peacekeepers consisting of 85 female personnel.
6. At the regional level, Malaysia is committed to working closely with other ASEAN Member States in advancing WPS agenda in the region, particularly in enhancing the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation. ASEAN is currently finalising its Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security.
Madam President,
7. Malaysia remains convinced that women’s participation is key to the success and longevity of peace processes. Malaysia reaffirms its strong commitment to the efforts in advancing the WPS agenda and will work with others to ensure safe participation of women at all levels in peace processes as well as in mediation efforts.
8. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new members of the Security Council for the term 2022-2023. Please accept my best wishes to all of you in performing your duties as entrusted by the UN Charter.
I thank you.