The PBC has contributed to the report on women's participation in peacebuilding during the drafting phase. We noted the action plan, which aimed at a more gender-responsive peacebuilding agenda. As members are aware, the PBC mandate recognizes the role that women play in peacebuilding, both as victims of conflict and as critical agents for positive change and for rebuilding societies emerging from conflict.

Last year the Security Council recognized that the Secretary-General's 2009 report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304) was an important contribution to a more effective and coherent international response to post- conflict peacebuilding. The Council also saw the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) as the Secretary-General embarked on the implementation of his ambitious agenda for action.

We believe that lasting peace in a conflict would remain elusive without improving the conditions of women and other vulnerable segments of the society. For long-term economic recovery and social cohesion, women's access to health, education and entrepreneurship is essential.

Women's participation in mediation and policy formulation of various Peacebuilding efforts can be a source of force multiplier. However, adherence to merit, cross-board institutional contexts and strict professionalism should not be compromised.

In the context of human-dimension of Peacebuilding, the Secretary General's report on “Women and Peacebuilding” is both candid and objective. The report put forth a ‘seven-point action plan' that factors gender perspective in Peacebuilding endeavours.

There is clearly a need to enhance the mobilization of resources for initiatives to mainstream women in peacebuilding activities in order to address their peacebuilding needs, advance gender equality and empower them in peacebuilding contexts. Nigeria pledges its support for the newly created United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

The Secretary-General's report sets out a detailed model for cementing peace in fragile States in a manner that reaffirms the key role that women can play in re-establishing the fabric of recovering societies.

The question of funding and resourcing in general is also critical from the perspective of women in peacebuilding. In order to have a real impact on the lives of women and the post-conflict societies they live in, United Nations agencies should be adequately resourced. In that way, we might provide women and girls with effective resources and protections as victims of violent conflict.

We welcome the seven action points identified the report of the Secretary-General on the participation of women in peacebuilding (S/2010.466). They capture the core gaps in our efforts to promote the full and equal participation of women in post-conflict peacebuilding, as envisaged in resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1889 (2009). Nigeria commends the Secretary- General for homing in on the required actions in such considered detail.

The reports before us today mark a critical turning point in the United Nations strategy for peace and security. The in-depth analysis contained in the report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386) dovetails with the proposals in the report on women's participation in peacebuilding (S/2010/466).