Implementation

As pointed out by the Secretary-General, Member States must ensure that their support for women's engagement in peacebuilding is consistent. While Governments have the primary responsibility to take action in their countries, when need be, they must be able to count on the predictable support of United Nations partners.

A shortfall in the financing of women's needs in post-conflict recovery plans persists. Donors could play a very constructive role in that regard by supporting women's and girls' education. Donors should also help women to attain economic independence through land ownership, micro-enterprise and skills training.

With the recent establishment of UN Women, we believe that women will have a stronger voice to speak on issues affecting them and including the implementation of Resolution 1325. The coordination of the various agencies, offices and mandate holders that deal with women and violence against women in particular will be very crucial to the implementation of this resolution.

While it is understood that the Security Council has an important role to play in dealing with peace and security matters internationally, States bear the primary responsibility to protect their citizens women and children in particular from violence.

Nearly 10 years ago, this Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 which to date constitutes a basis for cooperation among all the parties concerned in the field of Women, Peace and Security. National ownership by all member states of this resolution is pertinent. We report that we have made modest gains in the creation of institutions and developing frameworks aimed at addressing violence against women in conflict situations.

Kenya expresses its deep gratitude to the Secretary General for the comprehensive report, which inter alia showcases the key sectors where tangible progress is being made in this context and identifies gaps and challenges in implementation.

In Kenya, the newly promulgated Constitution has entrenched pertinent provisions relating to the participation of women at the highest levels. The legislature will now have 47 and 16 seats reserved for women in both the national assembly and the senate respectively, in addition to those who will be elected from the various constituencies.

In conclusion, Mr. President, I wish to reiterate my country's commitment to implementing Resolution 1325. Indeed, we are happy to report the ongoing discussions being carried out amongst stakeholders in Kenya to develop a Plan of Action for the implementation of the resolution. We support the Secretary General in his continued efforts to mainstream 1325 throughout the UN System.

While individual success stories are inspiring, women on the whole, remain marginalized in mediation roundtables with their needs and voices unheard. UNIFEM reports that in 24 peace processes over the past two decades, women formed less than 8% of negotiating teams, and were only 3% of signatories to peace agreements - a very small ratio considering that women constitute 50% ofthe world's population.

My delegation welcomes the development ofNational Action Plans (NAP) of several Member States, as proposed by the Secretary General, to include women in peace and security measures, and expresses concern at the lack of such plans by countries most affected by war, and urges Member States to formulate their own NAP and to develop them from best practices and lessons learned from other countries.