Hon Murray McCully

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Freepost Parliament Buildings
PO Box 18888
Wellington 6011
28 July 2015
Dear Minister,
UN Security Council debate on peace and security threats to Small Island Developing States
We are writing to you concerning the open thematic debate on peace and security challenges to Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) hosted by New Zealand in the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 30
July.
We welcome New Zealands endeavour to give SIDS the opportunity to highlight some of their specific
peace and security concerns, including climate change, transnational organised crime and the illicit
exploitation of natural resources. While it is important that SIDS have their own voices heard, New
Zealand also has a responsibility to raise fundamental human rights and development issues that have
been proven to affect SIDS stability, peace and security in the past. In the case of the Pacific, gender
inequality is one such issue, demonstrated in part by low rates of womens representation in decisionmaking roles and high levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Addressing womens
participation and protection issues is directly relevant to the UNSCs obligation to uphold the Women,
Peace and Security agenda and maintain international peace and security.
As New Zealands former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jim McLay, stated at a
recent UNSC debate, Pacific Island Forum leaders have recognised SGBV as a significant security issue
and destabilising factor facing their societies.1 Despite the political commitments however, progress in
the region on gender equality and womens empowerment has been limited. Barriers to public
participation remain high across the Pacific, with very few women serving in political, civil service and
security sector leadership positions. This is despite the important role women-led civil society groups
play in conflict prevention and recovery efforts. The Pacific also continues to suffer from the highest
rates of SGBV in the world with over two thirds of women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence
in some Pacific states. Abuses of the rights of women and girls remain inextricably woven into the
fabric of everyday life in the Pacific.
Peace, stability and prosperity for SIDS can only be achieved if the rights of women and girls are fully
recognised. As such, New Zealand should use its voice on the UNSC to highlight that concerted national
and international action is needed to eliminate SGBV and increase womens participation in decisionmaking, including with regards to the specific peace and security challenges highlighted in the open
debate. Practical steps New Zealand can take in support of women peacebuilders include:

Advocating for domestic legislative and policy reforms to bring about womens increased
participation and protection;
Engaging with and providing dedicated funding to women-led civil society organisations;

In August 2012, Pacific Island leaders made a historic commitment to a Gender Equality Declaration for the Pacific, which
included specific measures to address violence against women, economic empowerment and the low representation of women
in leadership positions. Other important initiatives to address gender inequality in the region include the Pacific Regional Action
Plan on Women, Peace and Security, as well as the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP) Nadi Accord
(2014).

Offering assistance (technical and financial) to improve access to justice and the full range of
sexual and reproductive health services for survivors of SGBV, as mandated by UNSC Resolution
2122 (2013);
Training foreign security sector elements to strengthen their gender awareness; and
Urging ratification as well as full implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

With New Zealand currently preparing its first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, we
call on you to demonstrate strong leadership in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of
women and girls across the Pacific. Looking ahead, the forthcoming high-level review of UNSC
Resolution 1325 provides a unique opportunity to formulate ambitious targets and take decisive action
in this regard. Substantial, measurable progress is needed more than ever, and New Zealand can play
a key role in bringing about positive change for women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected
countries around the world.
We thank you for your consideration of this matter and are happy to provide further details on any of
the issues discussed. We look forward to hearing from your office in due course.
Yours sincerely,

Grant Bayldon
Executive Director
Amnesty International NZ

Rachael Le Mesurier
Executive Director
Oxfam NZ

Vivien Maidaborn
Executive Director
UNICEF NZ

Angela McLeod
President
UN Women NZ
CC: Ms. Charlotte Darlow, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Chris Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
World Vision NZ