"HEAD
OF UN WOMEN'S FUND URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NOT TO FORGET
THE
NEEDS OF IRAQI WOMEN AS THEY FACE WAR"
Noeleen
Heyzer
Executive Director
United Nations Devlopemnt Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
March 21, 2003
“Today at UNIFEM our thoughts are with the women of Iraq who
need the adequate protection and assistance that is the right of all
civilian populations under international law. Security Council in
Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security recognized that, “women
account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed
conflict, including as refugees and as internally displaced persons.”
The International Community must remember this as it organizes to
deliver assistance and protection to the women of Iraq.
“Our staff in the region are focusing on how to support the women
fleeing their countries or communities, who will need emotional and
psychological support along with a range of social services.
“UNIFEM calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold legal
standards, especially those outlined in the Geneva Conventions that
outlaw the deliberate targeting of civilians and the use of indiscriminate
weapons, and also the provisions in the International Criminal Court
Statute with respect to sexual and gender violence.
“UNIFEM also calls on the international community to recognize
the rights of Iraqi women to participate in all decision-making about
the future of their society. For almost ten years, the United Nations
Development Fund for Women, in co-operation with other United Nations
and non-governmental partners, has provided assistance to women in
conflict situations and has supported their participation in peace
processes. We have seen over and over again that the peace and reconstruction
process suffers when women are not included.
“The United Nations was founded by a generation that had experienced
and understood war, a generation that was convinced that war could
be prevented. Subsequent generations have affirmed the validity of
that conviction, and quite recently massive demonstrations have indicated
overwhelming support for a peaceful solution and the efforts of the
United Nations in this regard.
“Despite sustained UN effort to resolve this conflict without
war, war is now a reality. We must work together to do everything
we can to ensure the protection of the civilians, most of them women
and children, who have become the targets of today's wars.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) works to promote
women’s empowerment, rights and gender equality worldwide. For
more information, visit www.unifem.undp.org
|
