Austria will continue to advocate for an increase in the number of women appointed to senior United Nations positions both at Headquarters and, in particular, in field missions. We highly welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard. Having three female special representatives and six deputy special representatives serving in missions in various conflict areas is already a major step ahead.

We believe that the systematic incorporation of gender issues in post-conflict recovery projects cannot be undertaken at the technical level or through theoretical commitments, but that it depends to a large degree on political will and adequate financing. Thus, it is up to us to make that a reality.

The role of troop-contributing countries in that task is very important; in conjunction with the various United Nations programmes and agencies, those countries are in a position to advance joint initiatives to improve the lives of the women in missions in which they participate.

The participation of women in post-conflict peacebuilding processes can be analyzed from the standpoint both of the United Nations system and of the State. In the first case, it is essential to address the issue of gender from the planning stage of activities in the field and to sustain it in all phases of reconstruction and peacebuilding.

Mr. Argüello (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to begin by congratulating the Mission of Viet Nam on its assumption of the presidency and on organizing this open debate, which reflects the resolute commitment of the Security Council to the effective follow-up and implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) almost 10 years since its adoption. We thank the Secretary-General for submitting his report (S/2009/465).

In that regard, it is crucial to work within the State to put an end to gender violence. There is no potential for empowerment in a climate of violence. We therefore welcome the adoption of resolution 1888 (2009) with the broad support of United Nations Members, and believe that its implementation will be an effective step towards the eradication of impunity.

From the viewpoint of the State, it is important that the role of women in post-conflict reconstruction activities be incorporated into national implementation plans for resolution 1325 (2000). That involves not only the deployment of a larger number of women in the field, but also acknowledgement of the effective role that women can perform in all stages of that process, including as mediators in peace processes.

Argentina is among those countries that have made progress in developing an implementation plan for resolution 1325 (2000) in the defense sector. At the same time, it is drafting a national plan that addresses all the areas included in that instrument, and has incorporated specific policies for the implementation of resolution 1820 (2008) on sexual violence against women in situations of armed conflict.

The Government of Afghanistan is committed to representing the interests of all Afghans, male and female, young and old. We are encouraging Afghan women to take a proactive and vocal role in their future, as that is essential to re-weaving the economic, social and political fabric of Afghanistan. Above all, in our political pursuit of national reconciliation, we must not break the promise that we made to ourselves and to Afghan women in 2001.

Secondly, extremist ideologies of oppression have primarily threatened women over the past 30 years. Throughout the 1990s, the Taliban and other armed groups engaged in severe violence against women. Crimes against women, including sexual violence and forced marriage, were justified and protected by extremists.