We have witnessed an alarming increase in sexual violence in various conflicts around the world. The victims are often women and children. Cessation of hostilities does not guarantee an end to sexual violence — sometimes quite the opposite.

Thus our efforts to guarantee the full and equal participation of women — as well-intentioned as they may have been — have clearly been insufficient. We hope that the input given during this debate today will lead, nine years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), to significant improvements.

Some years ago, the Liechtenstein delegation headed a group of like-minded ambassadors aimed at increasing the presence of women in positions such as special envoys and special representatives in particular. The success of this cooperation with the then Secretary-General was very modest, despite regular expressions of good intentions.

Resolution 1325 (2000) calls for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes. According to data made available to the Council by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, only 2.4 per cent of signatories to peace agreements are women and no woman has ever been appointed as a chief mediator.

Mr. Wenaweser (Liechtenstein): I thank you, Sir, for presiding over the meeting today and your delegation for organizing this open debate with a focus on post-conflict situations. As a strong supporter of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), Liechtenstein agrees with the assessment reflected in the concept paper prepared by your delegation (S/2009/490) that much has been achieved but that enormous challenges remain.

Member States and the relevant intergovernmental bodies must pursue strategies to ensure an increase in women's participation in peace negotiations and mediation, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction. That would strengthen the perception that women are stakeholders — as opposed to mere victims or aid recipients.

In preparation for the tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we need concrete action. Hence, we welcome the establishment of a United Nations steering committee to enhance the visibility of and to strengthen coordination within the United Nations system regarding the preparations for the anniversary.

However, formal justice systems often lack the required resources. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms are frequently applied in a manner that is discriminatory and leaves women with limited access to justice, thereby exacerbating a climate of impunity.

We strongly condemn the plethora of ongoing rampant acts of violence and aggression against women and girls during and after armed conflict, including those taking place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and other regions.

There is no doubt that the numerous resolutions and presidential statements that have been adopted by the Security Council constitute a major step towards protecting women and promoting their rights. However, it is not enough merely to adopt resolutions and statements; they must be implemented.