Mr. Montoya (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. We thank you for issuing the concept paper (S/2009/490, annex) serving as the basis for today's discussion. Colombia's experience demonstrates the importance of implementing gender strategies that include the social, economic and cultural dimensions, among other factors.

Likewise, we are carrying out a programme to prevent violence in families that include reintegrated persons. Strengthening the role and the capacity of women, as well as respect for their rights, is a central aspect for the Government of Colombia. In such efforts, the assistance of the United Nations system and the international community is essential.

In the peacebuilding process, entities of the Colombian State are working together to ensure the inclusion of a gender-based perspective, as well as full participation by women in violence prevention. Furthermore, we have developed guidelines for assistance to displaced persons, taking a gender-based approach.

In that connection, we are advancing the rural women's agenda, which includes actions to enhance respect for and guarantee the effective enjoyment of rural women's rights.

In addition, with the support of the European Union and citizen support, the programme Laboratories of Peace has been established in violence-affected areas. Through the programme, with the tools of the rule of law, we are exploring courses of action that Colombian society and local communities must take to address violence and promote sustainable development.

For example, mindful of the particular needs of women at the local level, we are promoting the establishment and enhancement of women's community councils, which are spaces for discussion in departments and municipalities, created to increase their participation and increase the visibility of the role that they play in development in their regions.

Additionally, the State has made efforts to ensure access to justice and special protection for women victims of displacement and sexual violence perpetrated by illegal groups. The Office of the General Prosecutor is promoting a comprehensive action strategy to uphold the fundamental rights of women victims. The programme is based on a specific methodology to address the impact of this phenomenon on Colombian women.

Women should have greater access to participation and decision-making, and their right in that regard should be institutionalized. Peace in post- conflict countries is often fragile. Without the effective participation of women, there cannot be lasting peace and long-term social stability. Women should fully enjoy the right of decision-making and participation in the post-conflict peacebuilding and development of their countries.

Secondly, the countries concerned should shoulder the primary responsibility for addressing the needs of women and girls in post-conflict situations and comprehensively implement resolution 1325 (2000). Armed conflicts in different parts of the world vary in cause and nature. The Governments and people of the countries concerned have the best understanding of the needs of local women and girls.

Post-conflict countries are often faced with numerous tasks and difficulties. The international community should provide them with generous financial and technical support and should help them to enhance capacity-building.