We have also made strides in ensuring the rule of law, most recently the establishment of a national commission on the elimination of violence against women, following the enactment of the law in that

We are also focusing on women political actors at national, subnational and local levels, as well as on capacity-building and advocacy strategies to enable them to obtain critical roles in high-level decisionmaking processes, policy and law-making positions in key Government institutions and to assist them in carrying out their significant political and social responsibilities.

Our international partners have assisted the Afghan Government in our endeavours. UN-Women has administered a multi-donor trust fund for the elimination of violence against women that provided grants for national organizations to combat violence against women.

Ensuring the rights of women is only half of the battle; we also need to see the full participation of women, as resolution 1325 (2000) reminds us that they have a vital role to play in peace and security. The representation of women in governance and their political participation has steadily increased.

Building a stable and secure environment that enables women to live free of intimidation and violence and promotes their participation and leadership in efforts to maintain peace and security is one of the core objectives of the Afghan Government.

Secondly, our approach to SSR has been too narrow. We must broaden it to take into account what host populations time and again demand, namely, a clear recognition that human rights, good governance and gender equality are inextricably linked with security sector reform.

An effective approach to SSR will ensure that the needs of ordinary citizens, including women and girls, are at the forefront.

At the regional level, the African Union (AU) is in the process of developing a policy framework document for SSR that refocuses emphasis from military security to human security by defending and protecting all citizens from all forms of violence and insecurity, including gender-based violence.

The promotion of gender perspectives in SSR is of essential importance to Slovenia.

International support to SSR should, to the extent possible, promote an inclusive approach to the creation of new institutions by bringing to the fore perspectives of the various groups and communities that may contribute to the process, including women.