General Women, Peace and Security

We are concerned that despite several measures being undertaken in response to resolution 1325 (2000), progress in implementing it is still limited, and women and girls continue to suffer the brunt of war, particularly the devastating effects of sexual and gender-based violence.

We also appreciate the contributions made by Ms. Mayanja, Ms. Alberdi and Ms.

Ms. Taj (United Republic of Tanzania): We wish to join other delegations in commending the delegation of Viet Nam, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, for organizing this important debate. Today's debate further attests to the need for the Security Council to continue to be seized of the challenges of protecting women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations.

We have a saying in the United Kingdom that sometimes you can stand for ages and ages at a bus stop waiting for a bus to come, and then suddenly two or three come at the same time. And it feels a little bit like that on this issue in the Council at the moment.

In resolution 1888 (2009), the Council took further steps to end impunity for the barbarous perpetrators of sexual violence against women and children in conflict. We now need to identify practical ways to assure women a central role in peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding. That is, we need to improve our record in implementing resolution 1325 (2000).

For our part, the United Kingdom is currently reviewing our national action plan for implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), one of only 16 of such national plans as the Deputy Secretary-General noted earlier. Our review is designed to ensure that our policies not only remain consistent with that resolution but also promote its implementation around the globe. We urge other Member States to do the same.

But our consideration of these issues has also been prompted by the lack of implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). During last week's debate on sexual violence in armed conflict (see S/PV.6195), we again heard heartbreaking and harrowing stories. At an Arria Formula meeting which I chaired in June, we were reminded of the fact that women and women's civil society groups are all but excluded from peace processes and mediation.

Ukraine, as a non-permanent member of the Council back in 2000, was one of 15 countries that voted in favour of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). This decision of the Council, no doubt, was and is the milestone document on empowerment of women. We welcome the most recent report of the Secretary- General on the implementation of that resolution (S/2009/465) and support its recommendations.

My country is greatly concerned about this situation and strongly condemns the targeting of women and girls in situations of armed conflict. In this regard, we welcome the Security Council's efforts to pay a special attention to the particular needs of women affected by armed conflict when considering action aimed at promoting peace and security.

However, in spite of all international efforts, women continue to be the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict, targeted for the most brutal forms of sexual violence. In addition to that, women also experience the trauma of losing relatives and friends in times of armed conflict and of having to take responsibility for the care of surviving family members. They also constitute the majority of refugees and displaced persons.