LookAtVietnam – A resolution drafted by Viet Nam that calls for a bigger women’s role in** conflict settlement and post-conflict reconstruction has passed the UNSC.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem stressed the significance of the resolution and encouraged members to review the progress made in the implementation of Resolution 1325 that was adopted by the UNSC in 2000 on women, peace and security.

The Viet Nam-drafted Resolution 1889 states that all parties concerned in armed conflicts have to observe the rights of women and should condemn all actions violating international laws regarding the rights and protection of females.

The resolution also asks the UN Secretary-General to develop a strategy to increase the number of women in appointed positions within the UN apparatus.

It also encourages member states, UN agencies and social organisations to ensure equal access to education for women and girls during post-conflict periods.

Chairing the open debate, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem stressed the significance of the resolution and encouraged members to review the progress made in the implementation of Resolution 1325 that was adopted by the UNSC in 2000 on women, peace and security.

The 1325 Resolution’s objectives are to protect women and children who are the most vulnerable and most heavily affected in conflicts and wars, and to promote the council’s primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

“The international communities’ impressive efforts in upholding Resolution 1325 has had many positive results,” Khiem said.

The communities had successfully acknowledged that to maintain and protect peace and security, it was necessary to take measures to satisfy women’s demand and increase their equal and full participation in all peace-keeping activities, in managing humanitarian donations and in post-conflict reconstruction, he said.

However, there were still many challenges, especially during post-conflict periods, Khiem said.

Women’s abilities to contribute to the peace-keeping process were limited in places because they failed to attend policy-making sessions and there was not enough funds to satisfy their essential demands.

He cited Viet Nam’s experiences in overcoming war consequences, promoting national development and ensuring the rights of women and children.

Khiem said measures to protect the rights of women and girls must be combined with the promotion of their role in ending conflicts and in post-conflict reconstruction.

“The early integration of their priorities into the reconstruction efforts will create favourable preconditions for the coherent and long-term implementation of necessary measures,” he said.

Khiem noted that the reconstruction process required comprehensive efforts to meet people’s basic needs for cooking, housing, health care, education and mental health. The restoration of infrastructure and the consolidation of social institutions, which includes the imperative role of the family, were also necessary.

The States and society must consider both civilian women and females who have served in the armed forces in the reconstruction process.

The UN had a special role to play in conflict settlement and post-conflict reconstruction as mandated by the member countries. It had gained experience and knowledge in various fields, Khiem added.

“As a nation having experienced losses caused by wars, Viet Nam always supports the common efforts of the international community in preventing wars and protecting peace,” he said.

“This is also the consistent guiding principle of Viet Nam in its participation in the work of the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. With that spirit, we are ready to share experiences and play an active role in the undertakings that we’ve discussed today.”

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News