Implementation

Estonia was honoured to join the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict during the General Assembly's opening week. We were also glad to see how much interest there was in the topic of enhancing accountability for sexual violence in conflict, discussed at a side event during that week that focused on the role of the ICC and that was hosted by the Estonian Mission to the United Nations.

At the outset, allow me to join others in expressing gratitude to the Secretary- General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the representative of the Non-governmental Organization Working Group on Women, Peace and Security for their statements. I would also like to thank the Council presidency for taking up the topic and organizing the open debate today.

The practices of the Israeli occupation in the Arab occupied territories are a clear manifestation of violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Arab women and girls under foreign occupation. Egypt stresses the responsibility of the United Nations system, as well as all international organizations concerned with women's issues, towards women under foreign occupation.

For example, a recent project has been implemented by the Czech NGO ADRA — which deals with the capacity-building of civil society in the protection of women's rights — in Georgia. Its aim is to achieve the highest standard of protection in the context of providing services to victims of domestic violence.

As part of its human rights promotion activities, the Czech Republic takes into consideration gender aspects and the protection of women in post-conflict situations, as well as in countries in transition, including by supporting projects of Czech and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

We believe that greater coordination and synergy among international partners would further improve the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on the ground.

We also welcome the adoption of the resolution 2106 (2013), on strengthening of the prevention and prosecution of conflict-related sexual violence, and support the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

In September, Croatia, as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, organized a high-level ministerial event with UN Women on women's economic empowerment for peacebuilding. The main rationale behind this event was to renew commitment and to sharpen the global focus on the role of women as agents of positive change and transformation in countries emerging from conflicts.

Female members of the Croatian Armed Forces involved in international assignments actively work as commanders, military observers and staff officers. We are particularly proud to state that, in coordination with NATO, in December we will deploy our first female general as gender adviser to the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.

Domestically, through its national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), Croatia has integrated a gender perspective into its foreign and security policy as well as its actions. We attach particular importance to the involvement of women in peacekeeping operations. Their presence reinforces women's perspectives, giving their initiatives more added value.