Participation

Beyond that, we have to recognize that violence against women, including sexual and genderbased violence poses real threat to global security and it also creates serious challenge to the full and active participation of women in peace processes.

Despite the intensified efforts made in the past decade, there remain major analytical gaps, and globally women account for only 2 per cent of military peacekeeping personnel. Another question is on how processed information can be compared among different country situations. We should also bear in mind that the structure and resourcing capabilities of UN Women will come into effect only on 1 January 2011.

Ghana welcomes the findings of the Secretary- General's report, which acknowledges the growing participation of women in decision-making and in peacekeeping operations, as well as the key role played by civil society in keeping critical issues on the development agenda and supporting women peacemakers in conflict areas.

Protection of women and their participation in all parts of society are two sides of the same medal. Resolution 1325 clearly stipulates that women must be seen as active players whose contributions in all aspects of peace-building and peace-keeping processes are absolutely essential for the (re-) construction of societies and in achieving sustainable peace and development.

It is time to move towards more concrete action. What can member states and the United Nations as a whole do?The German Government will shortly present it's third implementation report on resolution 1325 to Parliament.

Thirdly, the Gambia's validated Gender and Women Empowerment Policy 2010-2020 has been submitted to the Cabinet for approval before submission to the National Assembly — our Parliament — for enactment.

The various Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security allude to the necessity of ensuring the active participation of women in peace processes, particularly in conflict prevention and the protection of women from gender-based violence and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, as well as the promotion of women's and girls' rights during and after conflicts and in post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Secondly, as women attempt to take on new political roles, they continue to be challenged by traditional beliefs and values, certain sociocultural factors and misguided religious interpretations.

It is worth mentioning, however, that no country is immune to threats to absolute peace and that no country is an island. In that regard, the Gambia continues to use various traditional mechanisms, such as the Council of Elders and religious and community organizations, to enhance peace and participation, prevent conflicts, support refugees, and continue to promote and nurture peace and stability.

In conclusion, allow me to mention some challenges that we expect to encounter on our way forward. There is still a low level of awareness at all levels of the existence and content of resolution 1325 (2000), which explains why the Gambia has yet to attain a 50 per cent involvement of women in peacebuilding and negotiation processes undertaken pursuant to the resolution.