323. Concerning the reform of the police in particular, there is a process aimed at bringing about gradual change. Among others, it consists in the establishment of a well-trained community police which respects human rights and the international ideals of democracy without discrimination. This police have equipment and referral stations. In addition to being close to the population, it mainly intends to listen to them, dialogue, act in real time and show an interest in the concerns of everyone. To monitor this reform, a Police Reform Monitoring Committee (CSRP) and a joint inter-ministerial international partnership consultative organ have been established. For the trial phase, community policing is operating in a few provinces of the country. 324. The national commission to monitor the implementation of the Addis-Ababa framework agreement was established by a presidential order in May, 2013. This agreement commits the DRC to carry out reforms in the security (army and police) and finance sector, consolidate the authority of the State, continue on the path of decentralization and to promote reconciliation, tolerance and democratization. The same agreement requires all signatory countries to stay away from the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, to respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and to facilitate the administration of justice through legal cooperation within the region. The national commission to monitor the implementation of the Addis-Ababa framework agreement is already set to get down to the job; it has defined criteria for the monitoring of the implementation of this agreement and priority actions, with the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s development strategies: government, civil society and development partners. 4 priorities were selected for the situation of women. These are: (i) support for the implementation of the national plan of action of Resolution 1325 and the national strategy to combat SGBV; (ii) economic empowerment of women; (iii) organization of a multimedia campaign to combat gender inequality and child marriage, and (iv) formulation and implementation of the national strategy for the political participation of women in the democratic governance process. 325. Among the challenges for the inclusion of women in conflict prevention and peacekeeping as well as in all the other aspects of post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, mention should be made of the cumbersome socio-cultural procedures and stereotypes which degrade women, lack of substantial financial resources to implement the various programmes designed and the non-fulfilment of most of the commitments made.  REDUCTION IN MILITARY EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE (ARTICLE 10 (3)) IN FAVOUR OF SOCIAL 326. With regard to the reduction in military expenditure in favour of social expenditure (Article 10 (3)), the DRC is a post-conflict country. In order to consolidate the hard won peace, it must initiate vast reforms of its army which involve huge financial resources. In addition, the Government of the DRC allocates substantial financial resources for social expenditure as part of the various reconstruction programmes mentioned above. 7. PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN ARMED CONFLICTS (ARTICLE 11) 327. For nearly two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo went through endless conflicts which led to serious consequences on the lives of the people, particularly women and children who bore most of the brunt because they were seriously affected by the carnage, forced enlistment into armed groups, repeated displacements, destruction of means of production and several forms of violation of their rights, including sexual violence which was used as a weapon of war by attackers. 328. According to a 2013 OCHA report, the number of internally displaced persons increased throughout 2012 and was estimated at 2.4 million at the beginning of October, 2012. It was expected to reach 2.6 million in 2013. South-Kivu, North-Kivu, the Orientale Province and Katanga are the most affected provinces. More than 87% of displaced persons live with host families, but in some provinces, particularly North Kivu and Katanga, mass locations and organized camps have been provided. In this report, it is estimated that 64

Select target paragraph3