Kenya welcomes the leadership shown by the United States in convening this debate during its presidency of the Council. My delegation also welcomes the report of the Secretary General (S/2010/604) on the implementation of resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009), and supports the progress described therein while taking note of the remaining challenges.

"We must also provide protection for women and ensure that putting a stop to war-related sexual violence is prioritized at the international level. We laud the crucial work being carried out by agencies such as UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF to deal with such issues.

"The lifelong negative effects on victims and perpetrators alike of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, as highlighted in the Secretary-General's report, buttress the call for prevention of conflict and, where conflict exists, for expedient action in ending the conflict.

"My delegation would also wish to underscore the fact that peace, justice and security are interdependent. There can be no peace without the peace of mind that enables women to undertake their daily tasks, no justice without a national capacity to deliver justice, and no security without women's security.

"My delegation welcomes the appointment of Margot Wallström as the first Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to provide coherent and strategic leadership in the fight against this vice. We wish her the very best in executing her mandate.

"More women should be involved in peace mediation and peacebuilding processes. Decisions should not be made for women. Women must be part and parcel of a process that affects them. In that regard, Kenya's new constitutional requirement that no more than two-thirds of the members of elected or appointed bodies shall be of the same gender is a principle that can be emulated in order to mainstream women into such processes."

"Kenya condemns all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence, and has always urged compliance with humanitarian and human rights law during times of conflict. The appalling situation regarding the atrocities of sexual violence meted out against women and girls in conflict situations, especially in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa, have to be looked at seriously.

"In this regard, Kenya welcomes the progress made in establishing the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law, whose mandate is to assist national authorities in strengthening the rule of law and facilitating access to justice for such victims. Kenya supports the Secretary-General's call on countries affected by conflict to draw from this important resource.

"In armed conflicts, civilian casualties far out-number those of armed combatants. While women and men alike suffer human rights violations in conflicts, women and girls are more likely to be the targets of sexual violence, especially rape.

"My delegation appreciates the very important role that women's protection advisers will play in protecting women and girls from sexual violence. Their support for the monitoring, analysis and reporting system on sexual violence and their facilitation of dialogue with parties to conflict are welcome.