Adopting a gender perspective for all peacebuilding activities is another essential priority of the action plan. In my capacity as Minister of Equal Opportunities, I can only stress the importance of adopting a gender-oriented approach to all peacebuilding operations, conducting gender-sensitive surveys, collecting statistics with genderd is aggregated data and carrying out specific studies on other discriminatory factors.

To ensure the meaningful inclusion of women in peacemaking processes and post-conflict reconstruction, some societies will have to experience a seismic shift in gender attitudes on the ground. Although 1325 and its related resolutions concern gender-based violence and the transition to a post-conflict society, these issues are inextricably linked to the situation of women's rights as a whole.

This Council's adoption of resolution 1325, ten years ago, was a watershed in the protection of women and girls in conflict. The international community was - and should remain - proud of this accomplishment. The resolution helped galvanize Member States' resolve to tackle this issue.

Resolution 1325 is a milestone on the long road to the protection of women in conflict. We should, collectively, renew our commitment to its provisions. Israel, for its part, rededicates itself to ensuring that it upholds this landmark achievement at home, and stands ready to join hands with any nation, anywhere, to help realize this goal.

Member States bear a large part of the responsibility for implementing the provisions of 1325. In the spirit of the resolution, Israel has amended its Women's Equal Rights Law to mandate the inclusion of women in any group appointed to peacebuilding negotiations or working towards conflict resolution. Israel also seeks to assist other countries in their implementation of 1325.

However, recent events, such as the violations that took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Guinea, starkly highlight the wide gap that remains between the noble aspirations and the level ofprotection some women receive on the ground. Israel welcomes the development this year of indicators for progress in implementing resolution 1325.

The UN has a number of effective tools at its disposal to help push forward this objective. The Security Council, for example, could designate consistent leadership within the Council on this issue and consider methods to maintain its engagement in a more comprehensive manner.

As you are aware, Mr. President, Ireland launched a cross-learning initiative on 1325 in 2009. Yesterday afternoon, I had the honour to present the findings of this initiative to the head of UN Women, Under-Secretary General Michelle Bachelet.

There is, however, no room for complacency, Mr. President. Recent events in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone highlight that much more remains to be done. The objectives and principles of 1325 underpin the core tenets of international human rights law, international humanitarian law as well as the UN Charter itself.

The tenth anniversary of Resolution 1325 is an important milestone in the evolution of the women, peace and security agenda. Events marking this anniversary, both here in New York and worldwide, highlight the significant progress that has been achieved but also the long road yet to be travelled. Women are more visible in many areas, including peacekeeping, mediation and post-conflict recovery.