We believe that a drastic solution to the problem of violence against women is to resolve conflicts,
to settle them at the very outset, to ensure that peace prevails, to set up an effective and
transparent security sector, to accelerate development in post-conflict States and to strengthen the
role of women in all fields. That is something in which the United Nations specialized agencies

We agree with the statement in the Secretary- General's report that there is no single agreed
approach for dealing with the issue of the gender gap. We must take into account the specificities
and needs of each State. We reaffirm yet again that it is the responsibility of States to adopt
effective national legislation to promote the rights of women, to eliminate the culture of impunity

Mr. Dabbashi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): Eight years have passed since the
adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). Generally speaking, we are satisfied with the implementation
of the resolution by the United Nations and on the national level by States throughout the world.
However, the situation of women and girls in conflict zones remains a source of great concern, as

In terms of the African continent, we are satisfied to see the commitment shown by African States
to promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, in conformity with the Constitutive
Act of the African Union. We pay tribute to the progress achieved so far at the regional level.
Indeed, a final draft of African Union policies for women has been elaborated with the assistance

Despite all of those efforts by the United Nations, the African Union and individual States, we are
seriously concerned by sexual violence against women in conflict areas, whether during conflict
or in postconflict situations. Effective prevention and response, in our view, requires
comprehensive, coordinated and multidimensional long-term efforts involving all stakeholders.

The participation of women to all phases of conflict resolution and
peacebuilding has a clear, vast potential. I think, for example, of the participation
of Somali women as a "sixth clan" in the National Reconciliation Conference; of
the key contribution assured by Burundi's wonen to the Arusha process. As this
example shows, their participation in the peace process since its inception was a

Women are key social, political and economic actors in the success of
stabilization and rebuilding efforts. At the same time, they are the stakeholders that
can face discrimination in these processes. My Government, in it's firm
commitment to women's rights, would like to confirm on this occasion its
commitment to promote the full implementation of Resolution 1325 in all U.N.
fora*

While 1820 was a major step in implementing the protection pillar of
Resolution 1325, action is needed also on other pillars. We thus welcome the
President's initiative to focus today's debate on women's participation.

Tragically, sexual violence continues tc be used as a weapon of war to
destroy the very fabric of society. The Secretary-Generals report foreseen by next
June is therefore crucial. We believe that it should include detailed information on
sexual violence in conflict situations which are on the Council's agenda,
particularly on perpetrators and, more in general, on emerging patterns.

This is not just a question of how many women are included in a political or
decision-making process. It is about enabling them to champion issues that are also
vital to their empowerment. This is only possible through the full engagement of
civil society and women's organization; we should at the same time consider their
need of resources, such as training and capacity- building programmes.