Statement by Minister Counsellor Mr. MIZUTA Shinichi, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Ambassadorial Level Meeting on Women, Peacebuilding, and Development in the Great Lakes Region

I thank the Chair, Ambassador Rae, for convening this important meeting. Je remercie l’Envoyé spécial Xia pour son exposé. Je aussi remercie Madame Lusenge et Madame Kigoma pour leur rôle essentiel en contribuant à faire en sorte que les voix des femmes de la région soient entendues. I also thank AU Special Envoy Diop for her valuable inputs.
 
It is clear from today’s briefings that the COVID-19 has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, particularly women. At the same time, it has also been highlighted that the key to addressing the current multifaceted human security challenge is to enhance national and local resilience through protecting and empowering women in all sectors at all levels.
 
In this regard, Japan supports recommendations presented today as a result of the regional roundtables, which are aimed at promoting women’s socio-economic empowerment, facilitating women’s political participation and contribution to peacebuilding, and strengthening the prevention of all forms of violence against women. 
 
Japan promotes the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as an important pillar of its international gender policy, and has extended assistance to address various challenges that women face in the Great Lakes Region. For example, Japan has contributed, through UN Women, to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has supported projects with tangible outcomes including higher agricultural production, increased employment of women, greater awareness of sexual and gender-based violence in communities, and more active women’s participation in community activities. 
 
Efforts to promote stability and prosperity in the Great Lakes Region need a more concerted and integrated approach. In this regard, Japan welcomes the initiative to organize the Great Lakes Investment and Trade Conference, and encourages all those concerned to do everything possible to ensure full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all levels in this Conference.
 
As we are doing again today, the PBC has long championed gender-responsive peacebuilding, actively engaging with local women peacebuilders and learning from them to advance the WPS agenda. The PBC should continue to use its convening power and bridging role even more to help women in the Great Lakes Region into the future.
 
Let me conclude by reiterating Japan’s continued commitment to supporting the peoples in the Great Lakes Region.
 
I thank you.