In the year that has passed since I last addressed the Security Council (see S/PV.6877), work by NATO and our partners on the issue of women, peace and security has continued to progress. Awareness is growing, and it is better understood that mainstreaming gender in the broader security context will strengthen our ability to meet today's security challenges.

In September, all NATO allies fully subscribed to the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. It is highlighted, both in that Declaration and in resolution 2106 (2013), that the collection of data and the documentation of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict can be instrumental in bringing perpetrators to justice and in ensuring justice for survivors.

In NATO's collaborations with partner nations on women and peace and security we focus on joint political leadership, as well as on practical cooperation in the security and defence fields. Reforms and the rebuilding of security institutions should be gender- sensitive and ensure women's participation in security, as in any other sector of our societies.

As documented by that review, training, education and exercises remain key tools for ensuring that our security institutions and armed forces have the necessary competencies. We have made strides in strengthening the gender training offered under the auspices of NATO. The Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations, situated in Sweden, has been appointed department head for NATO gender training in military operations.

A review of the practical implications of resolution 1325 (2000) in the conduct of NATO-led operations and missions has been concluded together with our partners in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the International Security Force in Kosovo, and recommendations on the way ahead have been approved by the North Atlantic Council.

A key lesson is that we need to strengthen our focus on the implementation of already existing policies, action plans and directives. We are therefore pursuing the continued integration of a gender perspective into all phases and activities related to conflict analysis, planning and the execution of crisis management operations, and we are strengthening the role of gender advisers in the field.

We should, however, not regard women as passive victims and recipients. Just as women need to be included in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, women need to be included also in reconciliation and transitional justice. Women's participation is a matter of basic human rights and democratic principles. Those most affected by conflicts must be heard and enabled to contribute to the solutions that prevent conflicts.

We would like to draw the Council's attention to the recent resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on the elimination of violence against women that encourages the use of mechanisms such as the UN Women/Justice Rapid Response joint roster of international investigators of sexual and gender based crimes in its efforts to promptly make available the relevant expertise to investigate mass rapes and systematic violence.

We recognize the important role of non-governmental organizations such as Justice Rapid Response in training Member State officials as investigators of gender-based violence and rapidly deploying them to conflict areas. Namibia will continue to support such initiatives, as they can go a long way in assisting the international community in investigating such horrible crimes, which specifically target women and children.

There is a need to combat impunity and bring the perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. Sexual violence must be prosecuted at both the national and international levels. However, we have noticed with great concern that sexual violence is underreported at both the national level and in conflict situations.