United Nations Security Council
Open Debate on Women Peace and Security
Strengthening women’s resilience and leadership as a path to peace in regions plagued by armed groups
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Latvia H.E. Amb. Pildegovičs
New York, 20 October 2022
Mr. President,
I would like to start by thanking all the distinguished briefers. Latvia welcomes the continued practice of inviting women civil society representatives to brief the Council. Latvia also welcomes the report of the Secretary General and the recommendations it contains.
Latvia aligns itself with the statements by the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, addressing the situation in Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other fragile and conflict-affected countries. In this statement, please let me to concentrate mostly on the Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Mr. President,
This month we mark the 22nd anniversary of the adoption of the Women, Peace and Security agenda - a landmark resolution that recognized importance of women’s leadership to achieve international peace and security, and their contribution to conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and to post-conflict reconstruction.
In the resolution 1325 and the nine resolutions adopted in the following two decades, the Council recognized also the suffering that armed conflicts bring to women and girls, and declared sexual violence a war crime. The Council called upon parties to respect international law and take measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence.
Yet, a member of this same Council, namely the Russian Federation, instead of working to alleviate adversities and hardships in the conflict-ridden world, chose to cause misery and commit crimes. Women and girls are experiencing immense suffering, including sexual violence, because of the unprovoked, unjustified war that the Russian Federation chose to wage against its neighbouring country Ukraine.
For the crimes committed the Russian Federation must and will be held accountable, including through a special tribunal for the crime of aggression.
Mr. President,
Latvia firmly supports the WPS agenda, as women’s rights and peace matters are a priority that we fulfil as members of the Peacebuilding Commission, CSW, and UNWomen Executive Board, starting in January. Latvia respects international law and works in accordance with the Council resolutions to help women and girls affected by armed conflicts.
Since the very first days of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Latvia rapidly allocated additional funds to physical and emotional rehabilitation to victims of the war, and especially to women and girls, who have suffered from sexual violence committed by Russia’s soldiers, as documented by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Latvia has welcomed more than thirty-five thousand Ukrainian refugees. Latvia makes sure that the human rights of the survivors of sexual violence are at the heart of our response. We follow standards for safe and effective documentation and recording of survivors’ experiences – respecting their rights regarding dignity, privacy, and health.
As part of our development cooperation, Latvia supports civil society organizations to help women and girls in Ukraine. For example, in cooperation with NGOs, Latvia is supporting establishment of a rehabilitation center in Ukraine to help victims of war crimes, and will provide support to Ukraine in development of its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. We know that many other countries and organizations are joining to alleviate the situation. We are thankful for the important work that UNWomen and other UN entities are doing to help women and girls in Ukraine.
Mr. President,
We commend Ukrainian women for their bravery and resilience in light of the Russia’s aggression. We acknowledge the evident truth that women are a force of change. What we need to do is to ensure meaningful participation of women in all decision-making processes during and after the war, when Ukrainians will rebuild their country. To this end, Latvia is and always will be the friend and partner of Ukraine.
I thank you.