Turkey

Since the adoption of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000), thanks to the efforts of the international community, including non-governmental organizations and women's organizations, progress has been made across a broad range of issues concerning the protection and promotion of women's and girl's rights in conflict-affected situations. However, as today's debate has shown, many obstacles remain.

Secondly, there is conflict-related violence against women. As a way of tackling that problem, we believe that the Security Council should, as appropriate, ensure that ceasefire agreements include sexual violence in their definitions. On this occasion, we would like to welcome the publication of the Guidance for Effective Mediation, which is contained in the Secretary- General's report entitled “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution” (A/66/811, annex I), which addresses conflict-related sexual violence in ceasefire and peace agreements, and we encourage its increased utilization.

Before concluding, I would like to underline the valuable contribution of UN-Women in pursuing United Nations gender-related efforts in a more systematic and coordinated manner. That is evident also in the women and peace and security agenda. In that respect, we welcome the joint strategy on gender and mediation launched by UN-Women and the Department of Political Affairs. We also commend the seven-point action plan for gender-responsive peacebuilding, spearheaded by UN-Women and the Peacebuilding Support Office.