www.una-connecticut.org

1. Rachel Mayanja, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women: Despite SC Res. 1325, women have had little part in decision-making and have suffered much abuse. NGOs, celebrating 1325's 5th Anniversary, should be congratulated for emphasizing the important role of women. In 2004, the S-G asked my office for an action plan for 1325. We identified 12 areas which were annexed to the S-G's Report and endorsed by the S-G. Now they must be monitored and implemented; there must be accountability and the identification of women at the top of the UN and at all levels. Commitment and implementation must take place in countries "on the ground", and member states must make their own plans of action.
In the current 17 peacekeeping missions, only two are led by women. More women must be in senior positions, with their different approach and style.

2. Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the UK to the UN:I also am committed to 1325: the role of women as both contributors and victims. They need far greater appreciation in the UN system on why they are so crucial. The UK has developed a national action plan on 1325 in all government organizations. All existing policies and programs take it into account. There should be more women in senior positions; they must be promoted in post-conflict situations; there should be gender-awareness training in the military; maintenance of across-government action and of civil society is needed.
Financial assistance to the UN and its agencies is important. A total of $8 million has been devoted to promoting 1325 in the UK. There have been roundtables, seminars, and coherent discussions. Is it not the time for another resolution, a successor to 1325, if it would have a greater effect?

3. Parvina Nadjiballa, NGO Working group on Women, Peace and Security (a coalition of organizations, NGOs and 25 governments, working on 1325), also Program Specialist (Methodist) on Human Rights and Women. There is a global campaign to arouse awareness and to pressure governments. A GA Resolution was recently passed with no mention of women and girls! Many agencies concentrating on peace and security issues need a review and system of accountability and pressure in the SC to ensure that 1325 succeeds; it covers a very broad gamut of issues. The UK is leading in strategies for action. There should be a gender audit on national action plans. "If you want to do justice to peace, you must do justice to women...."
More women should come to the UN. Some women have spoken in the SC and raised issues in conflict resolution. There are also bilateral meetings of women with UN agencies. The outcome? More and more governments have been talking about women's role in peacekeeping, conferences, etc. See the website www.peacewomen.org. There need to be follow-up resolutions.

Answers to Questions: The role of men as perpetrators of violence must be mentioned in regard to women's peace and security. For example, prostitution. In peacekeeping in Africa the military are now not allowed out at night so that they have to behave; this has to be enforced. Men and women should forge an alliance for peace and security. In the peacekeeping in Namibia the peacekeepers were well-prepared, and women worked well with with the South African police, even though Apartheid was still in force, and the police supported it. There should be training in high schools in equality and non-violence.