General Women, Peace and Security

Allow me first to express my thanks to you, Mr. President, for convening this debate. Armenia fully supports the Security Council's recognition of the need to take effective measures to address conflict-related sexual violence. We welcome the recent report (S/2012/33) of the Secretary-General.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting during your presidency of the Security Council this month. I also welcome the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, which informs our discussion today (S/2012/33), and the insightful briefing of Ms. Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Resolution 1325 (2000) and other Council resolutions on women, peace and security and on children in armed conflict should remain high on the agenda of the United Nations. We are concerned by continued reporting about mass rapes as a method of war and the very low numbers of perpetrators who have been brought to justice.

The Council has made good progress in developing cross-cutting issues, such as women and peace and security. The Council should now systematically link country-specific situations and horizontal themes, and follow up on requests for thematic information when handling reports on country-specific situations.

The protection of civilians in armed conflict cannot be achieved without promoting respect for and observance by States of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, first and foremost with a view to ensuring accountability in the event of grave violations. Special attention should also be given to those in vulnerable situations, such as women and children, who face great and multiple risks during conflicts.

The last report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/579), submitted in November 2010 pursuant to resolution 1894 (2009), also highlights ongoing and emerging concerns regarding the state of protection of civilians.

More than 10 years have passed since the first debate was held in the Security Council on this issue, yet armed conflicts still affect millions of persons who are deprived of basic necessities and who are vulnerable to violations of their rights, displaced from their homes, targeted through indiscriminate attacks and other violations. In many cases, the principal victims of armed conflicts are women and children.

The Arab Spring has shown that the threats to security and to women and girls in particular are changing constantly. In our work on Women, Peace and Security we must be flexible enough to respond to new threats and challenges as they emerge. There are sweeping and positive social and economic trends at work. This Council needs to show that we are responsive to these trends.

Ukraine recognizes the instrumental role that a stronger United Nations gender architecture could play in advancing women's rights. It is a great responsibility for my country to be represented on the Executive Board of UN-Women.