Twelve years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the decisive contributions from women‘s movements and organizations in conflict prevention, and the commitment of organizations focusing on the human rights of women and girls to make a reality of the responsibility to protect — those are no longer matters of opinion.

The best way that we have found to respond to the theme of this debate is to refer briefly to the National Action Plan of the Argentine Republic for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which is in its final phase of adoption. It will be adopted by a presidential decree once the final review phase, is under way right now, has been completed.

It was this Organization that took on the calls by and the initiative of millions of women around the world in order to say “enough!” to a double situation of injustice and discrimination against women that consisted of, on the one hand, silencing the voices of the victims and, on the other hand, hiding the faces of women and girls as rights holders and protagonists of social, economic and cultural changes that could promote, prote

In addition, the actions taken to comply with objective 3 — on the inclusion of the gender perspective in all peacebuilding and humanitarian assistance missions — include the promotion of joint work by national institutions with expertise in the area of women's equality and civil society, with particular emphasis on the situation of women in armed conflict, post-conflict situations and socio-natural disasters.

Finally, in the section of the National Plan that focuses on monitoring and follow-up, it is expressly indicated that the Plan is the result of a participatory process launched by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Defence Ministry and with the participation of civil society organizations.

Each anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to its objectives and at the same time to focus on some of the many dimensions it covers. Today we have the opportunity to reflect on the central role of civil society, especially women‘s organizations, in the drafting and subsequent implementation of the normative framework launched by the Council in the year 2000.

Allow me, as Ambassador of my country, to recall that Argentina has been one of the countries promoting resolution 1325 (2000).

Women's civil society groups have been particularly crucial in acting as a united voice for Afghan women. An informal advisory group comprised of Afghan Government representatives, women Parliamentarians and civil society members meet directly with President Karzai on a regular basis to discuss issues of women's security, women in leadership, women's rights and cases of violence against women.

We see a marked improvement in the position of women through a pronounced presence of women in political and social life. Currently, there are 69 female members of Parliament, making up more than a quarter of the total number of parliamentarians. There are also encouraging signs for the future of women's social participation.

We have established a steering committee comprised of seven line ministries, the Commissioner for Human Rights and members of civil society, which meets under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effectively coordinate the implementation of the National Action Plan.