Finland launches the National Action Plan for implementing UN Resolution 1325, “Women, Peace and Security”
Press release 346/2008
19 September, 2008
Finland’s National Action Plan for implementing UN Resolution 1325, “Women, Peace and Security,” was made public at a seminar organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki on 19 September.
Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb opened the seminar and emphasised that Finland has played an active role in implementing the Resolution, which was adopted in 2000. The National Action Plan enables more concrete and coherent efforts aiming to achieve the goals laid down in the Resolution, which are to reaffirm women’s role and power of decision in the prevention of conflicts and in crisis management, peace-building and stabilisation of society in post-conflict situations.
Minister Stubb referred to the decision, taken by the European Union foreign ministers on Monday, 15 September, to launch an observation mission in Georgia to monitor implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia. An important aspect of the mission is to observe the human rights situation and action planning. Gender and equality issues have been taken into account in accordance with Resolution 1325.
Six of the ten experts Finland proposed for deployment on the Georgia mission are women. This is in line with the National Action Plan, which highlights the importance of obtaining more women for crisis management assignments, also for mission leadership positions.
Finally, Minister Stubb stated that efforts aiming to implement Resolution 1325 in practice will continue at both national and international forums, together with all the central cooperation partners.
Additional information: Sofie From-Emmesberger, Head of the Unit for Human Rights Policy, mobile tel. +358 40 568 8641