This now 43-year Israeli military occupation has caused innumerable hardships and challenges for Palestinian women, which require the international community, in line with resolution 1325 (2000) and other relevant resolutions, to exert greater efforts to finally bring an end to this deplorable situation.

The importance of resolution 1325 (2000) for Palestinian women stems from its content and direct applicability to their unique situation. On one hand, it provides a framework for their protection against the crimes committed by Israel, the occupying Power, while, on the other, it recommends the means to strengthen their role in the decision-making process, including in terms of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

We fully support the mainstreaming of the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations and believe that the appointment of gender advisers in the field and at Headquarters has served a useful purpose. We are supportive of all steps that increase the participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities.

We believe that while the Security Council has come a long way in integrating the issue of women, peace and security into its actions, it needs to demonstrate greater political will while ensuring accountability in the implementation of the resolution.

We believe that peacekeeping missions must also be provided with adequate resources for the discharge of their mandates. It is unrealistic to expect that they would be able to fulfil their complex mandates without the availability of required resources.

The protection of civilians, including women and girls, will remain one of the important mandated tasks and objectives of peacekeeping. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that only a peaceful and secure environment can ensure protection of civilians and that such conditions can be maintained only by capable and resourceful national authorities.

The gender perspective in peacekeeping must be dovetailed with a comprehensive peacebuilding endeavour, factoring in particular requirements of women in post-conflict zone. For long-term peace, economic recovery and social cohesion, women's access to health, education and entrepreneurship is essential.

Resolution 1325 (2000), in addition to other issues, also underscored the desirability of expanding the role and contribution of women in United Nations field-based operations. The Secretary-General has observed in his report that significant progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) has been made in the peacekeeping arena. However, more needs to be done.

Pakistan is equally conscious of the importance of the gender sensitization of peacekeeping troops and is complying with this important aspect by incorporating the two United Nations standard generic training modules in its training doctrine.

As we gather to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the situation of women and girls in conflict situations remains far from satisfactory. The report of the Secretary-General on the occasion of the tenth anniversary notes that “Despite an apparent firm foundation and promise, 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), significant achievements are difficult to identify or quantify.