There are reportedly some 6,000 child soldiers in the Central African Republic. Thousands of children are killed in deliberate attacks on civilian areas or caught in the crossfire. Over 10,000 have already lost their lives in the Syrian conflict. Many children are abducted and subjected to sexual violence. Attacks on schools and hospitals continue to deny children an education and desperately needed health care.

Recognizing the progress that has been made does not imply in any way that we ignore or minimize the horrifying realities that daily attest to the fact that children and women are the primary victims of many types of violence and abuse in situations of armed conflict.

In that regard, and in conclusion, I would like to pay special tribute to the human rights movement in my country, and in particular to the Asociación Madres e Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, who, through their unwavering commitment to human rights, were the principal movers of the Argentine proposal that formed the basis for the inclusion of articles 7, 8 and 11 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The planning, allocation and effective use of resources is vital. The UK provides extra budgetary funds to the UN's Department for Peacekeeping Operations for the Protection of Civilians coordination unit and the development of pre-deployment training modules on conflict related sexual violence for military, police and civilians. We encourage all Member States to consider providing similar support.

Today's debate is evidence of both how much has changed and how much remains unchanged. Perhaps never before in history have world leaders directed such focused attention on the protection of the defenceless. Yet, all too often, we continue to see civilians' rights violated during conflict.

Third, it is important that the civilian contribution to implementing the protection mandate is not overshadowed by a focus on the military role and the physical protection of civilians. The work of human rights, child and women protection and security sector reform staff is as essential for ensuring protection in the long term.

In South Sudan, thousands of lives were saved when the UN Mission in South Sudan allowed people into its bases after violence erupted on 15 December. Nearly 75,000 people are still receiving protection and assistance in eight United Nations bases, crowded together in unsustainable conditions and too fearful to return to homes and communities which have been razed to the ground.

Human rights officers have also advised on UN military preventive deployments; contingency plans; and sheltering and escorting civilians. They have also provided a critical bridge with local communities, human rights defenders and women's groups, for alerts on risks of gross human rights violations. The Human Rights Due Diligence Policy has also contributed to preventing and addressing violations.

Finally, let us not forget that there are armed conflicts in which civilians suffer greatly, but where no peacekeeping operation is deployed. I am particularly concerned about the situation in Syria, including the use of sieges as a method of warfare and its tremendous impact on the civilian population. At least 240,000 Syrians, including women and children, remain trapped and struggle to survive.

Ukraine has always been an active supporter of United Nations efforts aimed at protecting women and girls in armed conflicts. Our Government strongly supports all Security Council resolutions on women.