Participation

The fight against sexual violence must also be integrated into all security sector and justice reform processes worthy of the name. In that regard, Luxemburg has supported a number of workshops, including in South Sudan and Liberia, aimed at strengthening the contribution of United Nations peacekeeping operations to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

Tackling impunity is hard to imagine without a robust monitoring and reporting system. That may be easier said than done, however, especially where technical capacities are inadequate or where a critical lack of confidence in transitional justice create serious impediments.

On a broader scale, however, we as the international community should be using all means and opportunities available for stemming sexual violence as a tool of war.

We support the recommendation of the Secretary- General on increased attention to women's empowerment in terms of developing policies and strategies with regard to peacebuilding and in considering the renewal of the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Kyrgyzstan believes it is necessary to take additional measures to effectively address impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict and to ensure the equal participation of women in mediation, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict recovery processes.

Kyrgyzstan attaches the greatest importance to the participation of women in political and peacebuilding processes and takes concrete measures to maintain peace and stability in our country and in the region as a whole.

In order to effectively implement the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000), on 18 February, the Government approved its national plan of action. The plan provides for a set of measures aimed at establishing an institutional system on the protection of women's rights and creating favourable conditions for increasing women's role and participation in efforts towards peace, security and conflict prevention.

At the same time, we need to facilitate and reinforce women's participation, through their local networks and groups, by assessing and overcoming factors that impede their effective involvement.

The third issue is the focus on participation. A defining feature of the resolution 1325 (2000) agenda is that it goes beyond protection to embrace empowerment.

Empowerment cannot and will not happen without women's participation. Promoting participation is a challenge that is shared right across the United Nations system, but the Security Council clearly has responsibilities within its remit. The detailed and independent Security Council Report to which I referred earlier gives cause for concern in that regard.