Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the seminar on Women, Peace and Security and the launch of Finland’s 1325 National Action Plan in Helsinki, 19 September 2008

(check against delivery)

This is a wonderful day. Finland’s 1325 National Action Plan for implementing UN Resolution 1325 has now been adopted. I feel that I am partly “responsible” for the completion of this programme. For me, the initial impulse came during a visit to Oslo in 2006, when our Norwegian friends provided me with a copy of their own corresponding Action Plan. Although there had been talk about drawing up a Finnish National Action Plan even before that visit, the Norwegian model stimulated us in Finland to campaign even harder for the national programme.

The Action Plan is another fine link in the chain of our efforts in promoting women’s rights. Finnish women were granted the right to vote more than one hundred years ago, and our country has been in many ways been a pioneer in advancing the status of women in society. We have endorsed these same issues internationally too. Thus, it is only natural that we here in Finland see women as true contributions to the promotion of world peace and stability.

“Women’s issues are not just issues for women but issues for the whole of humanity.” These words by Minna Canth take on a special meaning when we consider global security. It is women and children that are particularly vulnerable during crisis situations. Our sisters throughout the world often have to face difficult problems in conditions of extreme insecurity. We will have a much better chance of achieving sustainable solutions and a stable society if we ensure that women and men can participate on equal terms in the decision-making process.

The principle of respecting human rights and gender equality generally accepted. The difficulty lies in the implementation. This is why we need different national and international measures for ensuring the fundamental and human rights of women and girls. The 1325 National Action Plan is an excellent means to further this effort.

Although we have already achieved a lot on this front, the Action Plan now serves as a useful reminder of what we could be doing better. For example, Finland must pay more attention to equality in recruitment for civil and military crisis management. We need to have more women involved in crisis management, and more of them in operational leadership positions. Female staff may have a better chance of reaching out to the local women and help them to strengthen their own position.

It is also crucial that all persons who set off for crisis management operations take part in training that focuses on the recognition and consideration of the gender aspect. Crisis management personnel must behave appropriately and be committed to fundamental and human rights.

In order to promote the gender aspect, we must be truly aware of the current situations. There may be occasions when there is not enough political will to change discriminatory traditional and cultural practices. Nevertheless, we must remain determined to work overcome these obstacles, but in an open and cooperative spirit, accepting that there may be many stages in the process.

* * *

We must continue to support adoption of this Resolution in all international contexts - at the United Nations, in the European Union, in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in the Council of Europe and in NATO. The Member States of the European Union have approved conclusions on how to apply UN Resolution 1325 in EU crisis management. In July 2006, during Finland’s EU Presidency, the Union adopted a list of measures in order to support respect for equality in EU operations. Commissioners Margot Wallström and Benita Ferrero-Waldner have both committed to the implementation of the Resolution and have promised to endorse the issue with their own initiatives.

Last June, the UN Security Council adopted UN Resolution 1820, which acts as a supplement to UN Resolution 1325. This new Resolution strongly condemns the rape and sexual violence that many women are still subject to in conflict situations or armed conflicts. The Member States of the United Nations are called upon to do their utmost to prevent the continuation of these humiliating and cruel acts of violence.

UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon has founded a campaign against violence to women entitled UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict – Stop Rape Now! Last week, I met with Inés Alberdi, the new Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM, on her visit to Finland, and I signed an appeal to support the campaign.

The aim of the campaign, a cooperative effort between 12 UN bodies, governments and NGOs, is to prevent sexual violence in conflict situations and simultaneously to offer support to those who have been victimized and also to improve the coordination of such efforts among the different actors. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN has already confirmed its efforts to better consider the gender aspect in the field.

Although many UN Member States have been working actively to promote UN Resolution 1325, realizing all its aims continues to be a real challenge. Protecting the rights of women and girls is very much a matter of attitude, and the efforts of all of us are necessary if we are to make a difference.

The work of non-governmental organisations is extremely important in the practical implementation of these efforts. The Finnish 1325 network, comprised of non-governmental organisations, worked tirelessly to make Finland’s Action Plan a reality and this has also been the case elsewhere in the world. I am pleased to see representatives of Femmes Afrique Solidarité here today. This organisation is actively involved in peacemaking, by increasing and strengthening the role of women in the prevention and mediation of conflicts in Africa.

* * *

Experiences around the world have shown us that widespread participation of women in peace processes and the development of post-conflict societies enhances lasting solutions. I have myself been cooperated with UNIFEM, which supports a dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian women. I am convinced that active cooperation among the women can help in making progress to find a sustainable solution in the region.

Another good example of women participating in peace efforts at the local and grass-root level is the active work of the women of Aceh in the reconstruction process of the region. During my state visit to Indonesia in February, I was fortunate enough to visit Aceh and witness the progress made in the implementation of the peace treaty and to meet with representatives of the women’s organisations in Aceh.

Also bilateral cooperation between countries can be further increased. I heard yesterday that there is twinning cooperation between Ireland and Liberia on gender issues. It is an excellent idea!

Post-conflict situations are always crucial for the future development of a society. After a conflict has passed, the situation for women can sometimes become even worse. It is important to include gender equality automatically to all post-conflict cooperation.

* * *

We have many practical opportunities for the discussion of the status of women and human rights. In the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in Liberia next March, we will be discussing the realisation of UN Resolution 1325. Liberian Minister of Foreign Affairs Olubanke King-Akerele and Minister for Gender and Development Vabah Gayflor are with us here today, along with many other women who are preparing this next year’s important event.

The Colloquium aims to promote women’s participation in both the shaping and the implementing of decisions. We wish to underline that women should have not only the right but also the duty to participate in the development of our common future and influence the order of priorities in their respective societies.

The Colloquim in Liberia will also consider the theme of climate change and gender. This theme is connected to the UN’s Copenhagen Climate Conference to be held next year. Research has shown that the impacts of climate change are felt most acutely in the poorest areas of the world and among the poorest populations. Some 70% of the poor people in the world are women. Women often bear the burden of providing for the daily needs of the family, and they are the ones who have to fight the hardest to cope with the growing dryness and floods caused by climate change. These problems also constititute a significant risk for global security.

On the other hand, women are also powerful agents of change, and they can effectively contribute to curbing the impacts of climate change. Key objectives in Finland’s development cooperation include strengthening the status of women, sustainable agriculture, water resources, energy and reforestation. Finland is working to promote these objectives through bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the UN and the EU and with international finance institutions, among others.

* * *

Even though UN Resolution 1325 is entitled “Women, Peace and Security”, this is not an issue for women only. The questions addressed in this Resolution are just as relevant for men. Let us work together.

Minister Helvi Sipilä, the first woman to have served as an Assistant Secretary-General at the UN and also the founder of UNIFEM, concluded one of her speeches to the UN by exhorting “that each of us, here and now, make a promise to each other that we will do everything in our power for world peace.” These words are just as timely today as they were then, and I strongly believe that taking women’s experience into account and listening to their voice can bring about an enduring change towards a more just world and sustainable peace.