[Title] Statement by H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, “Call to Action on protection from Gender Based Violence in Emergencies”

Secretary Kerry,

Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict,

Distinguished guests,

I would like to welcome Secretary Kerry’s leadership. Since its beginning, Japan has actively supported this Initiative, which calls to act on “Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies.” We are steadily implementing Japan’s commitments, including formulation of our National Action Plan.

At the UN General Assembly meeting in September last year, Prime Minister Abe expressed his determination to strengthen cooperation with the international community in order to achieve a “society in which women shine.”

Toward this end, we recently invited about 100 individuals, who are playing leading roles in both Japan and overseas, to Tokyo and hosted the “World Assembly for Women in Tokyo: WAW! Tokyo 2014.” I would like to thank Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and Ambassador Catherine Russell, United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, who are all here today, for attending the Assembly, and I am pleased to see you all again so soon. During the WAW! meeting, we had active discussions on women’s role in human security, gender issue, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. As a Chair of the high level round table, I summarized opinions expressed during our discussion and issued a set of 12 concrete proposals named “WAW! To Do.” These proposals include providing survivor-centered support in peacebuilding, creating mechanisms to ensure the empowerment and support for women, and steadfastly implementing comprehensive and effective policies and mechanism in disasters and crisis. I hope to appeal these proposals as our contribution to the world.

Distinguished guests,

What Japan can do is not limited to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Since we learned lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake, during which we especially cared for women and the elderly who could be vulnerable in emergencies, Japan proposed resolution on “Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Natural Disasters” twice in the UN. Also, this past July, Japan co-hosted the World Humanitarian Summit Regional Consultation with OCHA. Furthermore, we will host the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai in March next year. I would like to make the Conference a success by having the attendance of the highest possible level as much as possible from each country and international organization.

Concerted efforts by the international community is important. Regarding preventing sexual violence in conflict, the PSVI Summit was held this past June under the leadership of the United Kingdom, and I myself a “Champion” in this initiative. Together with the initiative led by Secretary Kerry, and also with the United Nations and the international community, Japan will make efforts on protection from gender based violence.