For example, the United States believes that it is crucial to increase women'...

For example, the United States believes that it is crucial to increase women's participation in security forces involved in preventing conflict and building peace as one way to reduce conflict-related sexual violence. The United States funds and implements the Global Peace Operations Initiative, which has facilitated the training of 2,451 female peacekeepers worldwide. The Initiative supports instruction on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Beginning last year, we have supported the pre deployment training of Peruvian women peacekeepers focused on women, peace and security issues, in support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. In Afghanistan, United States and Afghan officers provide instruction and mentoring to female soldiers in the Afghan National Army. In 2014, 10 per cent of the Afghan Military Academy's class will be women. There are already more than 1,200 women serving in the Afghan National Police, many of whom serve in leadership positions. Preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence is central to building lasting peace and brighter futures for countries undergoing and emerging from conflict. I cannot stress enough what a critical concern this is for my Government. Sexual violence must cease to be used as a tactic of war and intimidation. For the sake of the vulnerable and for the honour of nations, we, as the Council, must continue to support efforts to end this scourge.