Being the largest troop-contributing country in United Nations history, with more than 100,000 peacekeepers in 40 United Nations missions, India has perhaps more experience than most in implementing Security Council mandates. It is indeed Indian troops, along with the peacekeepers of fellow troop-contributing countries, who convert the intent of this Council into deed.

The appointment of Ms. Wallström in February this year was an important signal that increased and focused action would be undertaken in the fight against the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.

Moreover, we must strive to find better ways of guaranteeing the safety and physical integrity of women and children during armed conflict. This includes early warning mechanisms, as well as more awareness-raising campaigns and pertinent training, including the training of peacekeepers. Germany supports several training programmes and awareness- raising campaigns on sexual violence, in close cooperation with United Nations entities.

Finally, victims of sexual violence and abuse need help to treat the physical and mental scars left on them and their families and to enable them once again to actively participate in communal life. States must therefore provide adequate protection services and find prompt and non-bureaucratic ways to support victims, where appropriate with the help of the United Nations system.

Collecting data is not enough, but it is a much- needed first step in the fight against impunity. Perpetrators have to be brought to justice. Bearing in mind the main responsibility of States to investigate and prosecute those abominable crimes, international cooperation and the continued leadership of the Security Council are also of utmost importance.

As exact data is indispensable to taking timely and concrete action to prevent and react to sexual violence, Germany fully supports the creation of a new mechanism that may help to collect relevant data.

Allow me to conclude by stressing that we can make progress only if all relevant entities within the United Nations system, including the newly-created UN Women, work together closely, while also actively involving civil society stakeholders.

The violation of the rights of women is one of the principal characteristics of various conflicts across the world in both conflict and post-conflict situations. Unfortunately, 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the plight of women and girls in armed conflict is still dire. Regrettably, the war in Georgia in August 2008 was no exception in that sense.

Georgia welcomes the adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) and is proud to be its co-sponsor. We also welcome the establishment of UN Women and the appointment of Ms. Bachelet as the first leader of that body. We are convinced that, under her able leadership, there will be firm progress in solving problems that are on the women and peace and security agenda.

Finally, let me reassure the Council that Georgia supports the efforts of the entire United Nations family to prevent, and eventually eradicate, violence against women.