We also welcome the Secretary-General's report on women and peace and securit...

We also welcome the Secretary-General's report on women and peace and security (S/2011/598*), which includes guidance for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and for the use of the set of indicators for monitoring progress and implementing the framework, and we take note of the recommendations contained in the report. In regard to its resolution 1325 (2000), over the past decade the Security Council has put in place a normative framework on women's participation in peace processes, the protection and promotion of women's human rights, the mainstreaming of gender equality, and perspectives in the context of armed conflict, peacebuilding and reconstruction. As the Secretary-General notes, many peace processes now regularly include consultations with many women's peace groups. In many post-conflict countries, the number of women in the Government has increased dramatically and they have used their public decision- making roles to advance women's rights. Despite this progress, however, much still needs to be addressed and accomplished, as the female voice is not always heard. It is a matter of concern that progress in addressing the many constraints on women's capacity to participate in sufficient numbers is still slow. In this regard, the most important agenda item is increasing the presence of women in decision- making processes. Women remain largely excluded, especially from efforts to find workable solutions to conflicts, and we should further promote their participation. The inclusion of women in all stages of the peace process guarantees a more lasting and representative settlement. That being the case, we should further promote their participation and recognize the important contributions that women have made to achieving transparent and accountable Governments in many countries.