Implementation

When the situation demands it, Thai women can also be effective agents of peace, as caring peacekeepers and peacebuilders. We were pleased to see the role of female peacekeepers mentioned in several parts of the Secretary-General's report. Thailand also attaches great importance to enhancing the role and participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations.

Thailand shares the view of the Secretary-General that we should move from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention. To that end, we have established the Thai Women's Empowerment Fund to address the lack of economic opportunities for women by offering low-interest loans to help women develop their skills and careers. The Fund can also be used to strengthen women's civil society networks and enhance women's role.

In implementing resolution 1325 (2000), Thailand established a subcommittee on women and the promotion of peace and security. A wide range of activities have been carried out, from raising awareness of women's rights to the exchange of views on legal issues aimed at ensuring equal access by women to justice and sound legal advice.

Another milestone for women in Thailand was the admission of female cadets, in 2009, to the century-old Police Cadet Academy. After graduation, the first batch of female cadets will be assigned the important task of dealing with cases involving violence against women and children.

We hope that Ms.

The armed groups are continuing to violate women's rights in Syria and are hampering the evacuation of injured and sick people, including women, children and disabled persons, to areas where refuge is being offered, as was the case in the city of Homs, where representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross were present. Furthermore, those armed groups have committed numerous types of sexual violence, targeting women and girls.

We have immense challenges ahead when it comes to fully including women in processes to promote peace and security. The inclusion of women in conflict resolution and in post-conflict situations is without a doubt essential. It is the only way that we will achieve the full inclusion of women on an equal footing for the building of societies that have better prospects for development and peace

On security sector reform, gender-based violence can be rooted in traditional values and norms, stereotypes and structures that are transmitted through education and perpetuated by civil society. These stereotypes, values and norms are mirrored in the security sector, which is also one of the key areas to focus on in the fight against discrimination and gender- based violence.

Finally, I have the pleasure today to announce the launch of another important publication supported by Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the Handbook on Women, Peace and Security, by the NGO Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Allow me to conclude with a quick advertisement. The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has prepared a report parallel to the work of the Security Council entitled “Mapping Women, Peace and Security in the UN Security Council: 2011-2012”.