Madam President,

I would like to thank Switzerland for organizing today’s debate on UN Day. And I thank the civil society briefers for their indispensable work and enormous courage.
 
The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statements of the EU and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. 

Madam President,

In a world in flames, women are the key to peace.

Women like Zainab, a local mediator in Iraq, who use religious teachings and cases in Islamic history to resolve tribal disputes.

In Nigeria, women active in Peace Management Networks have managed to reduce violence between farmers and shepherds and among ethnic and religious groups. 

And within the Syrian political process, the Syrian Women Advisory Board to the UN Special Envoy plays a pivotal role. Women leaders participating in different tracks work together, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable peace. 

These are empowering examples of millions of women around the world making a difference. 

Yet their efforts to build and sustain peace are rarely truly valued. 

Spaces, structures and norms dominated by men create both visible and invisible walls for women’s participation. 

My country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is determined to help make peace processes more inclusive, viable and sustainable. 

I’d like to highlight three areas for action:

Firstly, 

Peacebuilding takes many shapes and forms. 

We must recognize, value and support the efforts and voices of women in all their diversity. 

We must appreciate their different roles. 

Whether it’s through formal structures in political processes or through informal pathways. 

We all must ensure that the crucial role of local, women-led and feminist organizations in advancing the WPS agenda is recognized, valued and amplified.

Secondly,

Women not only have the right to participate; peacebuilding and peacemaking depend on women’s leadership and participation. 

We need to have the preconditions in place that enable women’s full, equal and meaningful participation    . 

This will lead to more stability, less violence, more prosperity.

In this light, access to both mental health and psychosocial support, and sexual and reproductive health and rights is key. 

Lastly,

Peace can never thrive in a context where women and girls, men and boys and members of the LGBTIQ+ community remain subject to violence.

All of us must work to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, including in conflict. 

Our efforts include improving access to justice and accountability, imposing sanctions and combating harmful gender norms – with survivors’ needs, perspectives and wishes at the very center. 

Madam President, 
 
In closing, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is strongly committed to implementing Resolution 1325, illustrated by our Feminist Foreign Policy and National Action Plan. 

Because we simply cannot afford to exclude women; to throw away the key to peace. 

Let’s make next year’s anniversary a milestone that we can all be proud of.

Thank you.