As we move towards the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution, Japan, for its part, will continue to exert its utmost efforts towards the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in cooperation with our partners, and in particular with women's civil society organizations.

As to refugees and persons displaced as a result of conflicts, Japan supported the efforts to prevent sexual violence in Ivorian refugee camps located in Liberia by providing lighting and electricity in common areas of the camps, as well as vocational training that included awareness-raising activities.

We welcome the debate's focus on the contribution of women's organizations to preventing and settling armed conflicts and to fostering peacebuilding. Throughout the world, women's rights advocates are fighting, and at times risking their lives, to ensure that women and girls are not excluded from decision-making about the political future of their country.

We cannot promote the participation of women and girls unless we ensure their full protection. The Security Council must be vigilant in that regard. The targeting of women human rights defenders is a matter of grave concern. The Secretary-General's report (S/2012/732) describes the use of sexual violence as a conflict tactic across a wide range of scenarios.

Support to Governments and civil society through development cooperation programmes has been another key component of Italy's efforts to advance the agenda, particularly in Afghanistan, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Italy welcomes the presidential statement adopted by the Security Council on 31 October (S/PRST/2012/23) and the reaffirmation of its commitment to implement resolution 1325 (2000) and the follow-up resolutions.

Italy recalls the Secretary-General's appeal to involve women's organizations from the early stages of conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. That should become standard practice. Women leaders also have an important role to play in transitions, including in the drawdown of United Nations and international missions, when the previous gains in gender equality can be at risk.

Italy is a long-standing supporter of the women and peace and security agenda. In December 2010, we adopted a three-year action plan to implement resolution 1325 (2000). Next year, we will review the plan in order to assess its progress. Action plans and strategies are indeed a critical tool to advance implementation and to enhance accountability at both the national and the regional levels.

I wish to conclude by echoing the Secretary- General. Effective conflict prevention is inevitably embedded in long-term investments in women's and girls' empowerment and in support for women's efforts to build peace. If we are serious about peace, we must also be serious about the rights of women and girls.

We must recognize the clear link between promoting peace and promoting equal rights for women. In too many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, women have been subjugated and denied even the most basic of rights, including the right to vote, the right to drive and even the right to control their own bodies. That mistreatment of women cannot be ignored.