Implementation

As in other areas, "Delivering as one" should form the leitmotiv for UN action. All relevant UN entities should work together closely in order to guarantee that the available resources are effectively channelled and measured against the indicators proposed in the General Secretary's report. The setting up of an efficient monitoring system that measures progress achieved for women on the ground is also essential.

The Government of the Gambia, having recognized the prevailing poor indicators for the social, economic and health status of women and girls in developing countries, has joined the rest of the international community as signatory to several relevant treaties and resolutions, including the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, the 1995 Beijing Plat

First and foremost, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his explicit report and the practical recommendations therein on resolution 1325 (2000) (S/2010/498). We also align ourselves with the statement that will be delivered on behalf of the Group of African States.

Allow me at this juncture to recognize and acknowledge the United Nations for taking bold steps towards the reforms that gave birth to the new entity, UN Women, inter alia, holistically providing for improved collaboration and greater efficiency in order to achieve a speedy and positive impact.

We are happy to inform the Council that the Gambia is in the process of finalizing its national action plan and is grateful to both the Economic Community of West African States Gender Development Centre and the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women for their support in that regard.

Thirdly, the Gambia's validated Gender and Women Empowerment Policy 2010-2020 has been submitted to the Cabinet for approval before submission to the National Assembly — our Parliament — for enactment.

Suffice it to mention that the Gambia, popularly known as the smiling coast of Africa, has — knock on wood — enjoyed relative peace and stability since independence in 1965. As a result, it has served as a safe haven to brothers and sisters from the subregion fleeing from conflict.

Secondly, the Gambia has adopted, ratified and enacted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Trafficking in Persons Act in 2007, the Children's Act in 2005 and the Women's Act in 2010.

It is worth mentioning, however, that no country is immune to threats to absolute peace and that no country is an island. In that regard, the Gambia continues to use various traditional mechanisms, such as the Council of Elders and religious and community organizations, to enhance peace and participation, prevent conflicts, support refugees, and continue to promote and nurture peace and stability.

But there is a way forward. National Governments, as far as the Gambia is concerned, must sustain the political will and momentum now being given to women's empowerment and must satisfy the need to establish genderresponsive budgeting, where it is nonexistent, or strengthen it, where it does exist,.