Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security acknowledged that women are not just victims of armed conflict and that their equal and full participation is of vital importance in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.

Lastly, let me take this opportunity to encourage the Security Council to continue to address the issue of women, peace and security and to seek the most effective means to improve the situation of women in armed conflict. With a comprehensive United Nations approach and increased ownership by Member States over their activities, the plight of women in situations of armed conflict and its aftermath can be eliminated.

In Slovenia, gender equality is a priority not only in the field of human rights and development cooperation but also in security and defence policy. Since 2008, much has been done to promote gender equality in the security and defence sector. Those activities range from awareness-raising and training to the adoption and modification of legislation and other measures, including codes of conduct.

Today, we can boast of a national action plan launched by President Koroma on 8 June, which was developed through a process that has been acclaimed by many as highly participatory and inclusive. This comprehensive plan includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that all actors are accountable for its full implementation.

The illicit flow and use of small arms and light weapons during the 11-year rebel war was devastating, particularly for our women and girls. In this regard, the enactment of the National Commission on Small Arms Act of 2010 and the formal establishment of the National Commission should, among other things, enhance our capacity to address the issue of violence, including gender-based and sexual violence.

Increasing the participation and representation of our women in peace and security programmes within a democratic governance structure for us is key. To ensure that the role of women in the local Government machinery is enhanced, the Local Government Act stipulates gender parity at the municipal level.

From our own experience, sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full and effective participation of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace processes, and post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. A few weeks ago, the Security Council itself acknowledged the efforts that Sierra Leone is making towards the prevention and resolution of conflict and in peacebuilding.

Among other impressive strides taken by the Government of Sierra Leone to improve the welfare of our women and girls are affirmative action for girlchild education and the recent adoption of the free health care delivery initiative for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under the age of five.

Access to justice for our women has been reinforced through the enactment of the three gender responsive laws: the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Devolution of Estates Act. These laws are designed to promote women's human rights and protect women against discrimination.

We remain firmly committed, and we will continue to play an important role at the national, subregional and global level in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).