Allow me to express my delegation's thanks for your timely initiative, Mr. President, to convene this open Security Council debate to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. This initiative under Uganda's presidency this month accurately reflects the relevance of this question for developing countries.
El Salvador acknowledges and welcomes the important contribution made by the Peacebuilding Commission to efforts to promote and strengthen the participation of women in peacebuilding following conflict. We also welcome the efforts made on a daily basis by civil society organizations, especially women's movements, aimed at incorporating the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations.
This year we are commemorating 10 years of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which represented, and still represents, the responsibility of the international community to ensure and protect and advance women's rights in conflict, post-conflict situations and in peace processes.
The Secretary General's report presented upon request of the Security Council a set of proposed indicators to track the implementation of the resolution. These indicators -if approved-should only apply to the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations.
Egypt has been always supportive to 1325 and to its full implementation. It played a historical role to ensure the protection of women in armed conflict situations. Egypt was even among a number of states who contributed in the formulation of "The Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict" adopted by the General Assembly resolution 3318 (XXIX) as early as 14 December 1974.
At the outset, allow me to express our appreciation for your invitation to convene this ministerial meeting of the Security Council on this important occasion.
Moreover, Egypt strongly believes that any attempt to extend the scope of application of the proposed indicators beyond conflict and post conflict situations, or any attempts to provide a wider defmition for conflict and postconflict situations will be a clear encroachment from the Security Council on the competence of the General Assembly, and would affect negatively the mandate, competence and effectiveness of UN WOMEN, the entity that we al
Violence against women in conflict and postconflict situations is both a development and a security challenge that calls for action on a common front by United Nations Charter and other intergovernmental bodies. Violence against women profoundly affects not only the health and safety of women but also the political, economic and social stability of their nations.
