There is a need for more stringent regulations in combating and eliminating this menace. We would also request the Secretary General further strengthen his efforts to ensure zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The United Nations system, Member States and civil society have made steady and noticeable efforts in implementing Resolution 1325.

The UN system has also come up with a useful set of indicators as global markers of progress in the implementation of Resolution 1325. India has taken note of the twenty six global set of indicators in the four key areas.

The imperative of political empowennent of women cannot be overemphasized. India took a historic initiative of empowering women by reserving one third of the seats in more than 300,000 institutions of local self-government to women.

Resolution 1325 highlighted the impact of anned conflict on women and the need for effective institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in peace processes.

Let us not lose the momentum which has been generated on this issue on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Resolution 1325 - a symbol of strength for women in peace and security.

Let me also add my voice to other speakers who had called for greater deployment of female military and police personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and to provide all military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities. In this regard, we encourage, especiallly those who champion the importance of participation of women peacekeepers and also have the inclination and capacity, to do so.

India will be happy to contribute positively to this process. As one of the largest troop contributing countries to the United Nations, India has been conscious of its responsibility as well as training of its troops on this important issue.

India has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to virtually every peacekeeping operation in the past six decades. We have necessary disciplinary provisions in place to ensure that reports of incidents of violence against women or children or civilians are dealt with firmly, swiftly and resolutely within our existing legal provisions.

India has consistently held the view that greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peace keeping and post conflict reconstruction is an essential pre-requisite for lasting peace and security.