Speech by President of the Government at debate on Women, Peace and Security at United Nations Security Council

New York

"Gender inequality is a threat to international peace and security". This is one of the main conclusions of the work on Women, Peace and Security provided by Resolution 1325. I would add that it is an injustice, it is immoral and it is a blight on the progress of Humanity.

Resolution 2242, which we have just adopted, is the result of a collective effort from the Member States, the United Nations system and civil society. It lays renewed foundations, which are sound and ambitious for the next 15 years, for the agenda on Women, Peace and Security.

I would like to underscore the dedication and enthusiasm we have all put in to this. I wish to highlight the leadership of the Secretary-General and express my acknowledgement of the role of the United Kingdom, the Rapporteur of this dossier, with whom we have worked in perfect harmony.

I would also thank the Director of UN Women and the participants from civil society for their input in the opening debate. Their testimony has given us the guideline for this session.

Achieving peace, fighting terrorism and disarmament processes will undoubtedly have a greater chance of success with the growing participation of women.

We seek a two-fold objective through Resolution 2242: On the one hand, to increase protection for women and girls in situation of conflict; we should spare no effort in fighting sexual violence, which is used as a weapon of war and terror, and it is very often more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in conflict; and, on the other hand, to substantially increase the role of women through from the prevention of conflicts until the consolidation of peace.

Experience has taught us that it is crucial to avoid the disparities between what is approved here and the reality on the ground. Women are key to the preservation and building of peace. Their contributions are essential to combating the senselessness of conflict. Women have proved they are beacons of dignity and courage in such places as Colombia, the Philippines, Central America, Liberia, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Spain has a proven track-record in this field, which reflects our comprehensive commitment to equality between men and women. At a domestic level, we have approved the Strategic Plan for Equal Opportunities and the National Strategy to Eradicate Violence Against Women, among others. In application of UN Resolution 1325, Spain also has a National Action Plan, is enhancing a gender focus in peacekeeping missions and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation has specific lines of action and maintains a strategic relationship with UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

But our joint efforts on the Women, Peace and Security agenda must be renewed and stepped up.

Spain takes on the following commitments.

• We will update our National Action Plan and we will approve periodic reports on progress to present to Parliament:

• We will create a national focal point and we will foster the creation of an international network of focal points;

• We will draw civil society into jointly designing and monitoring our actions;

• We will step up training for members of the Armed Forces and State Law Enforcement Agencies on the issue of gender, particularly those deployed on international missions;

• We will continue to boost the participation of military women in peacekeeping operations and ensure the presence of women on mediation teams;

• We will continue to strictly apply a policy of zero tolerance in relation to accusations of sexual violence that affect military personnel and civilians on missions overseas;

• We will increase the percentage of official development aid allocated to Women, Peace and security;

• We will contribute to the financing of the gender unit of the Department of Political Affairs of the Secretariat of the United Nations in 2016.

• In 2016, we will make a contribution of one million euros to the new Global Acceleration Instrument and the Multi-agency Fund against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We must fight uncertainty and doubt with certainty and reasons for hope. Increasing the protection of women and girls in situations of conflict, and offering women a greater role in their prevention and in building peace, are necessary for ensuring a fairer, more peaceful and supportive world. Resolution 2242 is a guide to help us question ourselves. I invite you to set to work on this together.

Thank you very much.