Report of the Secretary General on Women, Peace and Security 2010

On 31 October 2000, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000), drawing attention to the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls and their exclusion from conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The resolution highlighted the fact that an understanding of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls and effective institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in peace processes would contribute significantly to the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security. The adoption of the resolution was the culmination of years of concerted appeals and efforts, especially by civil society and women's organizations, to draw attention to and seek action to reverse the egregious and inhumane treatment of women and girls, the denial of their human rights and their exclusion from decision-making in situations of armed conflict.