Implementation

In designing peacebuilding strategies, we need to be more sensitive and take into consideration the knowledge and insights of local women at the grass- roots level. It is also important to gather information about the incidence of sexual violence, insecurity and human rights violations as perceived by women, and for women to be represented at all levels.

I thank you, Sir, for having convened this open debate on women and peace and security, which enables the Security Council to focus on the paramount role of women and their civil society organizations in contributing to the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts, as well as to peacebuilding.

Advisers on gender issues must also consistently take account of and utilize the information gathered by local women's organizations. Every effort must be made to ensure that their perspectives are heard and considered by the highest decision-making entities and structures. It is equally important that women be fully represented in those bodies in field missions and all other platforms.

We are very encouraged that, under the strong leadership of Ms. Bachelet, UN-Women has been resolutely promoting the agenda of women and peace and security as one of its priorities. It is with great satisfaction that we note that, during her recent visit to Japan, Ms.

The security of women and girls is an indicator of peace and stability. In that regard, we note that the Secretary-General's report refers to the fact that Afghan women's groups have voiced concerns over the potential for a peace deal to be made at the cost of women's hard-fought rights.

Relief and recovery initiatives for women in conflict or post-conflict situations are also key when conflict prevention efforts unfortunately fail. As an example, in close collaboration and consultation with a wide range of women's civil society organizations in the Sudan, Japan supported finding employment for women in poverty, including widows, women in rural places and women with disabilities.

As we move towards the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution, Japan, for its part, will continue to exert its utmost efforts towards the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in cooperation with our partners, and in particular with women's civil society organizations.

We cannot promote the participation of women and girls unless we ensure their full protection. The Security Council must be vigilant in that regard. The targeting of women human rights defenders is a matter of grave concern. The Secretary-General's report (S/2012/732) describes the use of sexual violence as a conflict tactic across a wide range of scenarios.

Support to Governments and civil society through development cooperation programmes has been another key component of Italy's efforts to advance the agenda, particularly in Afghanistan, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Italy welcomes the presidential statement adopted by the Security Council on 31 October (S/PRST/2012/23) and the reaffirmation of its commitment to implement resolution 1325 (2000) and the follow-up resolutions.