Women must be part of peace building, NATO Secretary General says
On 29 October 2010, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen gave a keynote speech at the opening of the conference “The Role of Women in Global Security” in Copenhagen, Denmark. He stressed that women, who are disproportionately affected by conflict, must be part of peace building and reconciliation.
![Photo Hasse Ferrold: "Role of Women in Global Security" Conference Oct.29th and 30th, 2010. The U.S. Embassy in Denmark ( by initiative of The US Ambassador to Denmark Laurie S. Fulton ) and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will co-host a two-day conference at Eigtveds Pakhus in Copenhagen to highlight the importance of women in peace and security. Conference partners include the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the U.S. Embassies in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The conference will focus on experiences in Afghanistan, Liberia and Uganda where women have significant opportunities to effect change in active conflict and post-conflict zones. The conference will focus on three themes: Women in Active Conflict/Peacekeeping Operations Women in Post-Conflict Reconciliation and Reintegration Women in Economic Development http://denmark.usembassy.gov/news-events/rwgs.html http://denmark.usembassy.gov/news-events/rwgs/prg.html Welcome: Laurie S. Fulton Ambassador to Denmark, USA Opening Address: Lene Espersen Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denmark Special Address:Anders Fogh Rasmussen Secretary General of NATO Keynote Addresses: Hillary Clinton Secretary of State, USA [Video]](/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pictures/stock_2010/20101029_101029a-sg-women-speech02_rdax_775x376s.jpg)
“We want to prevent armed conflict from having a disproportionate impact on women and children; we want to protect women and children; and we want women to participate in all aspects of operations and at all levels of command,” said the Secretary General.
Mr Fogh Rasmussen elaborated on the steps the Alliance has taken to promote women’s participation in its operation in Afghanistan. These include appointing gender advisors, developing pre-deployment training in gender perspectives for ISAF forces, and encouraging the recruitment of Afghan female instructors and military personnel.
The event, hosted by Denmark and the United States, was held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325’s adoption.