to avoid and lessen the harm suffered by women in armed conflicts, we should ...

to avoid and lessen the harm suffered by women in armed conflicts, we should first of all prevent wars and reduce the number of conflicts. The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. To safeguard the rights and interests of women, the Council should actively engage in preventive diplomacy and promote the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, including dialogue and consultations. The mandates of the Council's resolutions should be comprehensively and strictly implemented. They must not be abused and, even less so, exceeded. Actions to provide protection for civilians should pay particular attention to avoiding further casualties among women and children.