Because setting indicators is crucial to monitor progress and aid reporting, Member States should receive assistance in the country assessments or situational analyses they are conducting to obtain baseline information with a view to developing, inter alia, evidence-based policies, planning and target setting.

As it seeks to fulfil the vital commitments contained in these resolutions, the Government of the Gambia, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has embarked on a series of actions and has been guided by the slogan “From commitment to action”. Key among these actions are the following.

Everyone agrees that women and children are the main targets of armed conflict. They make up the majority of refugees and displaced persons in the world. Violence against women and girls is a flagrant violation of human rights. Those responsible for such heinous crimes should be prosecuted and brought to justice.

Within the framework of the United Nations, we must welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General aimed at ensuring an increasing participation of women in positions of responsibility in peace missions. That has been the case in the Central African Republic, Liberia, Timor-Leste, Nepal and Cyprus.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, has given expression to this important endeavour by promoting a woman of great experience to the high-level functions of the Minister of Defence. She now has the onerous responsibility of steering government action in the areas of defence and security.

The adoption of this resolution has marked a historic step in the United Nations consideration of the participation of women in the peace process and the strengthening of protection for women and girls from violence in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Operationally, the important contribution of women in the various areas of peacekeeping operations is an achievement that deserves to be noted, as Ms. Bachelet and Mr. Le Roy have done so well. I would like to reaffirm here that the readiness of Gabon to continue to work closely with the United Nations and other Member States in order to assume its share of the responsibility in strengthening the progress achieved thus far.

In conclusion, my delegation would like to provide its full support to the presidential statement (S/PRST/2010/22) that was adopted at the beginning of this discussion. We express the wish that, under the leadership of Ms.

Everyone agrees that women and children are the main targets of armed conflict. They make up the majority of refugees and displaced persons in the world. Violence against women and girls is a flagrant violation of human rights. Those responsible for such heinous crimes should be prosecuted and brought to justice.

At the national level, many countries have taken the issue on by adopting action plans that seek to give effect to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. For its part, Gabon has taken concrete measures that make it possible today for many women to assume important responsibilities, including at the highest levels in all branches of the army and the police force.