The protection of civilians, grave violations in armed conflict of children's rights, and women's justice and security needs have become an important part of the Council's concerns and mandates.

Secondly, women and children must be placed at the centre of transitional justice mechanisms. We commend the Council for its efforts in combating impunity for sexual and gender-based violence, in promoting gender-responsive justice reforms and in securing women's participation in all aspects of postconflict recovery.

The situation of the most vulnerable in societies affected by conflicts, in particular forcibly displaced persons, women and children, brings an element of urgency to the imperative of restoring the rule of law.

In that regard, let me also mention the great importance that the Human Security Network attaches to the role of the Council in the protection of women and children. We are pleased with the work undertaken by the Security Council in progressively strengthening the protection framework for children affected by armed conflict, as well as with its efforts to prevent and combat sexual violence.

As emphasized in the Secretary-General's report to the Council on the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies, all rule of law programmes and transitional justice mechanisms have to be planned and implemented in a manner sensitive to the specific needs and rights of women and children.

The Council has also increased its interaction with non-Council members through informal processes, such as groups of friends. The Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, for instance, informs the Council's actions through inclusive and transparent dialogue between Council and non-Council members.

Important progress has been made in enhancing the relationship between the Security Council and thematic Special Representatives of the Secretary- General, such as those for children and armed conflict and sexual violence in conflict. Similarly, the briefings provided by the Executive Director of UN-Women and representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have been important to the Council's work.

The Council has made good progress in developing cross-cutting issues, such as women and peace and security. The Council should now systematically link country-specific situations and horizontal themes, and follow up on requests for thematic information when handling reports on country-specific situations.

The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, currently under German chairmanship, has granted access to the Chairs of PBC configurations, because issues such as child soldiers and gender-based violence against children are, all too often, common practice in countries on the agenda of the PBC.

In order to enhance the Council's capacity for prevention, we support the suggestion of regular briefings from the Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. We have also encouraged the Council to issue a standing invitation to the Executive Director of UN-Women and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.