In the Participation Pillar, the U.S. supported Afghan women's inclusion in the High Peace Council and in follow-on shuras and negotiations, in the reintegration and reconciliation process at the local level. We've also awarded $16.9 million in direct grants to Afghan women-focused NGOs. In the Protection Pillar, the U.S.
Madame President, as we move forward on our National Action Plan, we are cognizant that, as Secretary Clinton said at a Council debate on this issue last year, "ultimately, we measure our progress by the improvements in the daily lives of people around the world.
Though we support the comprehensive PRST that will be adopted in this debate. I regret that because of the opposition of some, we were unable to unreservedly welcome the Secretary-General's report. The United Kingdom does whole-heartedly welcome that report. Women have a central role in building stability in countries at risk from conflict.
The United Kingdom believes that women's inclusion in political settlements and peace processes, the protection of women and girls in situations of armed violence, and women's access to security and justice, are essential building blocks for more peaceful and stable societies.
The Arab Spring has shown that the threats to security and to women and girls in particular are changing constantly. In our work on Women, Peace and Security we must be flexible enough to respond to new threats and challenges as they emerge. There are sweeping and positive social and economic trends at work. This Council needs to show that we are responsive to these trends.
Since taking up her position as Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet has passionately and effectively promoted the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Supported by Special Representatives Radhika Coomaraswamy and Margot Wallstrom, UN Women plays a vital role coordinating wider international efforts to implement the full suite of UN resolutions on Women Peace and Security.
Madam President, a word on National Action Plans: The United Kingdom believes that National Action Plans provide an important opportunity for member states to make their own commitments to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution. Over the past year, the United Kingdom has supported efforts globally to implement Resolution 1325.
In Afghanistan, the UK has funded a full range of measures undertaken by the Criminal Justice Task Force to minimise gender-related barriers to working in a high profile law enforcement environment. And we supported the Government of Nepal's efforts to develop its own National Action Plan to generate, among many other things, work to provide support for women and girls who have been the victims of sexual violence.
I have three points to make in today's debate: first, support for the role of UN Women and Special Representatives of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict; second, the need to do more on conflict prevention and early warning; and finally, the work that the United Kingdom has taken forward through our National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
Ukraine recognizes the instrumental role that a stronger United Nations gender architecture could play in advancing women's rights. It is a great responsibility for my country to be represented on the Executive Board of UN-Women.
