Ensuring accountability at the national level is equally important. However, it is regrettable that the lack of adequate national capacity to investigate and prosecute sexual violence remains one of the main impediments to ensuring accountability for such crimes. In that regard, my delegation would like to commend the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, established pursuant to resolution 1888 (2009).

As a supporter of the landmark resolution 1820 (2009), Italy is convinced of the evident connection between ending sexual violence and promoting peace and security. That is why the Italian national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) includes specific provisions to address sexual violence in conflict.

What I have referred to leads us to conclude that the annex to the report of the Secretary-General, which lists the parties and individuals credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for systematic rape and other forms of sexual violence during conflict and post-conflict situations, is useful, and that we must increase the pressure on those responsible for those acts and, when appropriate, submit their names to the relevant committe

The latest report of the Secretary-General to the Council (S/2013/149) reaffirms the pervasiveness of sexual violence and its interconnection with various aspects of the maintenance of peace and security.

Parallel to those efforts, the Salvadoran Government has strongly promoted a campaign against gender-based violence and sexual violence in general on different fronts. We have strengthened legislation with the approval of the comprehensive special act on violence-free lives for women.

We underscore the role of the Security Council when it comes to women, peace and security through the adoption of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) and 2086 (2013).

In that context, we have promoted the inclusion of the gender perspective and leadership functions in the context of our armed forces. There has also been an increasing awareness of gender among the armed forces and the equitable participation of women in peacebuilding and decision-making processes, as well as in international security.

Finally, much work needs to be done to narrow the substantive implementation deficits that remain. The burden of responsibility rests on the membership of the Council to ensure measurable progress on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the broader context of the women, peace and security agenda and the laudable objectives that it aspires to achieve.

I would like to also welcome the Secretary- General's annual report on women and peace and security (S/2012/732) and to express my country's support for the recommendations contained therein on more solid progress throughout the women and peace and security agenda.

My delegation welcomes this debate, and would like to make a few remarks in addition to the statements by the observer of the European Union and others underlining the importance of women's civil society organizations in contributing to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).