Women are not only victims of armed conflicts; they make a significant contri...

Women are not only victims of armed conflicts; they make a significant contribution to preventing and settling them. The direct involvement of women in conflict prevention and settlement is, in our view, an important precondition for overcoming violence against them. In that regard, we welcome the fact that this year priority attention in the presidential statement was given to issues of the role of women's organizations in civil society in the prevention and settlement of armed conflict and in peacebuilding (see S/PRST/2012/23). Although a critical role in protecting women at all stages of armed conflict belongs to national Governments, measures undertaken both by civil society and by United Nations system bodies support and complement the efforts of States.