Today is a firstly an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made sin...

Today is a firstly an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made since the adoption of resolution 1325. At the UN, we now have a special representative of the Secretary General to tackle violence against women in conflict, a new agency in the form of UN Women, and a greater number of women in leadership roles. Outside the UN, 22 member states have adopted National Action Plans. Partnerships between governments and women's organisations, and the integration of gender perspectives into development, political and defence policy, are increasingly common. We should pay particular tribute to the role that has been played by women's groups and civil society to build awareness and strengthen the argument for implementation of resolution 1325 on the ground.