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Peacemaking needs women – German Cabinet approves action plan to implement UN Security Council resolution 1325
On 19 December 2012 the Federal German Cabinet approved an action plan to implement resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council. From the start Germany has actively campaigned for the goals of this resolution, which calls for the participation of women in crisis prevention, conflict management and postconflict peacebuilding and for women to be protected from gender-based violence and in particular sexual abuse in situations of armed conflict.
In this connection Foreign Minister Westerwelle has issued the following statement:
“The German Government is keen for women to play a still greater role in peace processes. I therefore welcome today’s decision by the Federal Cabinet to approve an action plan designed to implement resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council.
The only way to achieve lasting solutions to conflicts is to ensure that the rights and needs of all sections of the population are taken into account. That women play a key role in resolving conflicts is something we have long recognized and which feeds into our activities around the world. In situations of armed conflict women and girls are particularly at risk and therefore require our special protection.”
Germany has taken a variety of measures to promote the goals of resolution 1325, which was adopted in 2000. Notably during its membership of the UN Security Council in 2011 and 2012 Germany campaigned hard for the worldwide implementation of this resolution.
The German Government has drawn up its action plan to implement resolution 1325 in response to a recommendation of the UN Secretary-General. Reports prepared by the Secretary-General have shown that the involvement of women in conflict management and peace processes produces better and more lasting results.
The German Government’s first-ever action plan in this area covers the period 2013-2016. The plan gives a sharper focus to its various activities to date and makes clear that the participation of women in peace processes and their protection in situations of armed conflict must be part and parcel of all crisis prevention, conflict management and postconflict peacebuilding efforts. The plan also incorporates ideas and suggestions put forward by nongovernmental organizations and the research community.
Training for German civilian and military personnel serving with UNled or UNmandated peace missions and oneoff measures to involve women in efforts to resolve particular conflicts are just some of the ways in which the German Government is already active in this area. It also supports UN schemes designed to promote the participation of women in peace processes and their protection in situations of armed conflict.
The German Government last reported to the German Bundestag on its activities in this area in 2010:
