Implementation

We recognize the important role of non-governmental organizations such as Justice Rapid Response in training Member State officials as investigators of gender-based violence and rapidly deploying them to conflict areas. Namibia will continue to support such initiatives, as they can go a long way in assisting the international community in investigating such horrible crimes, which specifically target women and children.

I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your country's assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of October. Furthermore, I wish to thank you for organizing this very important debate affording the wider United Nations membership an opportunity to contribute to the very important discussion on women, the rule of law and transitional justice.

While the responsibility to put an end to the tragic consequences of armed conflict for women and children lies with States, coordinated and sustained action among the various national and United Nations actors involved in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is necessary to strengthen existing initiatives.

The signing of peace agreements and ceasefire agreements and the implementation of national action plans and programmes for the protection of women in conflict-affected countries have made it possible to identify, in a more appropriate way, the ways and means likely to promote women's rights and to strengthen their participation in efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts and in post-conflict reconstruction.

The establishment of genuine peace requires the establishment of inclusive and durable political, economic and social structures. Within that framework, local women's entities are a driving force in empowering women and strengthening good governance. My delegation welcomes the work carried out in the framework of the United Nations system to strengthen women's capacities and involvement in mediation and peacebuilding processes.

Effective and optimal empowerment of women in the context of peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction involves the collective and coordinated action of the international community and the United Nations system, through strengthening protection and prevention measures adapted to specific contexts that will facilitate the implementation of the resolution.

Allow me at the outset to convey to you, Sir, on behalf of the Moroccan delegation, our gratitude for the convening of this debate. I thank for their briefings Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon; Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women. I welcome Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka's appointment and assure her of our full cooperation and support as she discharges her mission.

My delegation supports the initiatives of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict to assist States in strengthening the rule of law, transitional justice and security sector reform.

Firm political will and full commitment of Member States to the measures in resolution 1325 (2000) will guarantee the active participation of women in national, regional and international institutions for the prevention, protection and management of conflict situations.

The Secretary-General's report provides a road map for the action that all relevant stakeholders must take in order to continue to effectively include women in peace, development and in strengthening the state of development we all live in.