From the outset, Namibia has recognized the important role of women in peaceb...

From the outset, Namibia has recognized the important role of women in peacebuilding, as enunciated in resolution 1325 (2000), of October 2000, which my delegation, together with many others, successfully negotiated during our presidency of the Security Council. Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we have been pleased that the United Nations has adopted specific policy directives to achieve gender equality in peacekeeping operations. Due to their vulnerability, women in many conflicts situations around the world continue to face intolerable hardship, as they become targets of sexual violence. In that context, Namibia welcomes and supports the adoption of the recent Arms Trade Treaty, as it is the first international instrument that includes a gender criterion in the context of arms transfers, thereby identifying women as vulnerable targets in conflict situations.