“The active participation of women is crucial for the Alliance in dealing with, resolving and preventing conflict, and not least reconstructing societies after a conflict has ended. The Special Representative will be a champion for this work within NATO and a clear voice outside the Alliance,” said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.
“Women’s rights – and their important role in peace and security – is not a ‘special interest’, but is to be mainstreamed into all phases of NATO’s work. The establishment of the position of Special Representative in NATO is an important further step in NATO efforts in recent years to follow up this resolution,” commented Mr. Støre.
The Special Representative will be responsible for following up NATO’s work on UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (PDF).
In 2009, NATO decided to implement the UN's Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), which had been adopted by the Security Council in 2000. Norway has been one of the strongest advocates of this resolution. The Alliance agreed on the Action Plan on Mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 into NATO-led operations and missions at its summit in Lisbon in 2010.
Read also about the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recognizing women’s efforts to promote peace and democracy.