We also affirm that the Security Council's effectiveness in implementing and following up on resolution 1325 (2000), including the specific measures undertaken to that effect, must be based on accurate information.

Today, we would like to commend the existing cooperation with UNIFEM and its active role in translating the aforementioned action plan into tangible reality. We look forward to seeing UNIFEM, through the new gender Entity at the United Nations, play a larger role in terms of building national capacity and supporting efforts aimed at the advancement of women and improvement of their status, especially in post-conflict areas.

The situation of women in armed conflict has always been part of dealing comprehensively with the root causes of conflict. Therefore, we endorse the report's reference to a work plan covering the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, socio-economic and gender inequalities, endemic underdevelopment, weak or non-existent institutions and the absence of effective governance. This approach is based on the fact that war is war.

The Government of the Sudan has been celebrating the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security since 10 June. In Khartoum, our capital, we held an expanded workshop and an open day to celebrate the anniversary, in coordination with the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and the Sudan country offices of United Nations agencies, at the forefront of which was UNIFEM.

That resolution led to the adoption of the 2008-2009 System-wide Action Plan for implementation across the United Nations system and to the identification of standard indicators to measure progress and the time frame needed to apply the indicators at the regional and international levels.

On this occasion, we note the need to move forward with the full implementation of the resolution over the next decade by adopting comprehensive and robust regional action plans in this field.

It is also worth noting that preparatory work for the open day included workshops attended by women in several parts of the Sudan, including Khartoum and Juba, the capital of the southern province, the Warab province in the south and the provinces of East and Central Equatoria, as well as the three provinces of Darfur.

As for combating the phenomenon of violence against women, the Government of the Sudan has adopted a national strategy that was prepared by all relevant official and public actors. The strategy has been implemented at the central and provincial levels.

With the defeat of terrorism in May 2009, through a massive humanitarian rescue mission, the Government took concerted action to rehabilitate and reintegrate all former child combatants. Among them, 351 were girls. Knowing that these children had been forced to take up guns instead of school books, the Government of Sri Lanka adopted a prudent, practical and compassionate approach towards their reintegration.

With regard to former adult LTTE cadres, the Government has placed a high priority on their social and economic reintegration. In recognition of this priority, a vocational/technical/language training programme under the “Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme,” (IT, heavy machinery operation, electrical, mechanical, the specific apparel sector, etc.) has been developed.