United Nations Security Council

04/14/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/14/2021 16:14

Security Council: Women, peace and security

Note: Owing to the liquidity crisis and the current COVID-19 pandemic impacting our Organization, only a partial summary of statements made in today's meeting of the Security Council is available at this time. The complete summary will be issued later as Press Release SC/14493.

The representative of Ireland said that eliminating sexual and gender-based violence, both during conflict and in peacetime, requires gender equality at every level. 'We should not fool ourselves that the shocking sexual and gender-based violence in times of war, disease and disaster is somehow extraordinary, or aberrant. Let's not fool ourselves that things will go 'back to normal' once the crisis has passed.' Despite a robust framework to deal with conflict-related sexual violence, compliance by parties to conflict is appallingly low and the Council must ask why that is so. Going forward, the Council should ensure that monitoring and early warning processes on conflict-related sexual violence are incorporated into peacekeeping and special political missions. It should also make better use of targeted sanctions and accountability tools, including referrals to the International Criminal Court. 'We must demand the prosecution of the crime of conflict-related sexual violence on an equal basis with other war crimes and crimes against humanity,' she stressed.

The representative of the United States, emphasizing that sexual violence in armed conflict demands a collective response, urged the Council to address reports of mass sexual violence in Ethiopia's Tigray region. She also warned that women in Burma face greater risks now that the military leaders responsible for sexual violence in Rakhine state have returned to power. Worldwide, gender-based violence is more than a crisis, but a calamity made even more dire by the pandemic. She called for more women to be elevated into positions of power, emphasizing that 'women make the world more peaceful - and that is not anecdotal, that is a fact.' She also recommended a survivor-centred approach that includes access to medical care, social support and legal services, noting that the President of the United States is committed to providing sexual and reproductive health care and services for women around the world. Special attention must also be paid to under-examined and under-reported forms of sexual violence, including those faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. She went on to underscore the impact of sexual violence on men and boys, including in Afghanistan where the terrible practice of bacha bazi - the commercial and sexual exploitation of boys - is well-documented as occurring within the security forces.

The representative of China, strongly condemning sexual violence as a means of war and terror, said that the international community, including the Security Council, should focus on addressing the root causes of conflict to eradicate the breeding grounds of conflict-related sexual violence while adhering to the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and promoting dialogue. Acting in an integrated manner, the international community should also bring an end to gender-based discrimination and the unequal treatment of women while also creating synergies for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He added that the countries concerned should take the lead in preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence, with support from the international community based on their respective national conditions. United Nations entities should carry out their work in line with their mandates and expertise on the basis of existing resources, he said, adding that women's groups and civil society need to be guided to play a constructive role.

The representative of the United Kingdom, also expressing concern about reports of rape and sexual violence in Tigray, said that in South Sudan and other post-conflict situations, survivors bear the effects of their trauma while perpetrators walk free. Underlining her country's commitment to tackling sexual violence in conflict, she stressed the importance of a survivor-centred approach that is based on human rights and puts the rights and needs of survivors first. Such an approach should also consider the specific needs of persons with disabilities, LGBTQI individuals and other at-risk groups. The Council's recent sanctions against Sultan Saleh Aida Aida Zabin in Yemen demonstrate the international community's willingness to take action against perpetrators of torture and sexual violence in conflict, but 'there is more than we can do' by strengthening accountability for such crimes in international and hybrid courts and tribunals, she said.

The representative of Mexico said sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war, repression and torture by both State and non-State armed groups, which see the COVID-19 pandemic as a chance to continue committing atrocities. Drawing a link between sexual violence and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, she said there is still a long way to go to address structural inequalities, discrimination and negative social attitudes that put women at risk around the world. Health care and other support services must employ a human rights-based and intersectional approach, she said, emphasizing that a lack of accountability and impunity contributes to recurrence of crimes and a broad lack of trust. Legal frameworks that ensure reporting channels, as well as investigation and prosecution mechanisms, are crucial. Agreeing that sanctions committees must continue to include sexual violence as a listing criterion, she warned that results will remain limited if those measures are not complemented by information sharing with other organs and bodies. She also recalled that sexual violence in conflict constitutes a war crime, noting that the Council is obligated to refer them to the International Criminal Court where appropriate.

The representative of Kenya described progress in implementing the second phase of his country's women, peace and security action plan, which among other things addresses the institutional, structural and cultural drivers of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls. It seeks to advance women's leadership in Kenya's security, police and peacekeeping ranks, and provides for judicial accountability and redress. Spotlighting Kenya's zero-tolerance policy for sexual and gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, he said the Council should focus more on the gendered impact of intra-State conflicts, particularly where conflict-related sexual violence leads to early marriage, girls dropping out of school, forced displacement and threats to local women peacebuilders. Calling for strengthened coordination with community and religious leaders, as well as with the Peacebuilding Commission, he underlined the emerging threat of climate change as disproportionately affecting women and girls and called for better gender- and age-disaggregated data to inform policy and mitigation measures. He also called for more attention to the protection pillar, clear sexual-violence related benchmarks in all peace operations mandates, women protection advisers in peacekeeping missions on a case-by-case basis, and the incorporation of sexual- and gender-based violence as a separate sanctions listing criterion in the remaining mandates and regimes that do not yet employ such language.

The representative of Norway recalled that, shortly after the adoption of resolution 2467 (2019), an international conference in Oslo on sexual and gender-based violence brought together a wide range of actors, making hundreds of commitments to end those crimes in humanitarian crises and conflict. However, despite progress, sexual violence is still deliberately used as a tactic of war, torture and terror, and women are still targeted for their activism. Calling on conflict parties to end such crimes and on States to make full use of the support offered by OHCHR and the office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, she said it is also imperative that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in ceasefires, peace agreements and monitoring mechanisms. A strengthened focus on justice and accountability, more survivor-centered approaches and an end to the targeting of people based on disabilities and actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is also needed.

She went on to note that Norway supported the production of the Policy and Handbook on Preventing and Responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which provides practical guidance to civilian, military and police components, and proudly counts Norwegian staff among the United Nations police team supporting South Sudan in investigating sexual and gender-based violence. Turning to the Council, she said sexual violence as a stand-alone designation criterion for sanctions must be used when applicable and should become a criterion in more sanction regimes. In that respect, she welcomed the recent decision by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) to list individuals on the basis of sexual violence. 'This Council must be a strong voice,' she stressed, adding: 'We cannot allow our political commitments being reversed by COVID-19.'

The representative of India said that, despite the Council's strong framework against sexual violence in conflict, the level of compliance by warring parties remains alarmingly low. Stressing the need to prevent atrocities, end impunity and rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors, he called on States to develop legal frameworks in line with international standards and ensure the prosecution of sexual violence as a self-standing crime. While national Governments bear that primary responsibility, the United Nations can help build capacity. States should also adopt victim-centred approaches in line with the resolution 2467 (2019), providing non-discriminatory and multisectoral assistance to victims. 'Understanding the nexus between terrorism, financing of violent extremist groups, trafficking and sexual violence in armed conflicts must inform Council action on this important matter,' he stressed, adding that the Council's sanctions regimes and other targeted measures need to be strengthened to better protect women. Greater participation by women in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconciliation processes is also needed, as is a greater mainstreaming of gender perspectives in peace operations, he said, recalling that India joined the Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations in 2017 and deployed the first all-woman formed police unit to Liberia a decade earlier.

The representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said the current global crises have compounded sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, particularly against women and girls. 'Today, we recommit to ending the enduring inequalities, protracted conflict and underdevelopment which contribute to unconscionable levels of conflict-related sexual violence,' she said, noting that her country is facing the additional crisis of explosive volcanic eruptions. Warning that underreporting of sexual and gender-based crimes often results from shame and fear of reprisals, she called for survivor-centred responses that prioritize the needs of women and girls. Spotlighting important international developments such as the establishment of one-stop centres in South Sudan, the creation of specialized courts in all 34 provinces in Afghanistan, the launch of a sexual and gender-based violence helpline in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and growing United Nations support in providing model legislative guidance, she nevertheless cautioned against allowing funding for such crucial work to be divested to address the current crisis. In fact, authorities should designate sexual and gender-based violence responses as central to pandemic recovery planning and funding, she stressed.

The representative of Estonia said that conflict-related sexual violence must be addressed systematically by picking up its early signs, countering its use, making it part of ceasefires and peace agreements, and making sure that those who commit it are punished and not included in amnesty provisions. Victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence must be viewed as victims and survivors of war, deserving of support and justice. He urged Ethiopia to guarantee a credible independent investigation into reports of sexual violence in Tigray and called for accountability for conflict-related sexual violence in Syria and into violent incidents committed by the Tatmadaw in Myanmar. He went on to review the measures that Estonia is taking to underline the fundamental importance of human rights, including those of women and girls, in combating conflict-related sexual violence.

The representative of Niger said that women and girls face increased risk of sexual violence not only in conflict situations, but also because of the impacts of climate change, forced displacement and economic precarity. In that regard, he reiterated Niger's concerns about living conditions for migrants and refugees intercepted at sea and put into overcrowded detention centres in Libya. He also drew attention to the security conflict in the Sahel where terrorist groups such as Boko Haram kidnap women and girls and force them to become sex slaves or human bombs. Calling for a holistic approach for survivors, and for an end to impunity for perpetrators, he said that 'we must break the cycle of double victimization' and tackle the root causes of sexual violence, including toxic masculinity and a lack of educational opportunities for girls.

The representative of the Russian Federation said that, each year, delegates and other speakers come before the Council to reaffirm their commitment to ending the scourge of sexual violence in armed conflict. Asking why, then, the many recommendations emanating from the United Nations system remain unimplemented, he said the answer too often is the hate-filled 'nature of war itself', which is sometimes stoked by outside actors. Only resilient societies with strong governance structures will be able to vanquish the atrocity of sexual crimes committed in conflict. For their work to be effective and successfully reach victims, the humanitarian agencies of the United Nations must not be associated with any political preferences or seen as pandering to one conflict party, or turning a blind eye to the needs of another. 'All suspicions must by definition be credible,' he stressed, adding that the sources of information must always be verified. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the international community must not lose hope that the fight against sexual violence can be advanced for the benefit of international peace and security, he stressed.

The representative of France said instances of sexual violence in conflict remain prevalent in many conflict zones, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Syria and Ethiopia's Tigray region. Strongly condemning the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war or a tool of terror, as well as discriminatory attitudes that make its wielding possible, he said all victims must have access to proper reporting, comprehensive support services, justice, reparations and the guarantee of non-repetition. Recalling that France has committed €6.2 million to the Trust Fund for Victims established by Dr. Denis Mukwege and others at the International Criminal Court, he voiced regret over the pollicization of health and other support services, which is leaving many women without access around the globe. Pointing out that many of those issues will be addressed at the upcoming Generation Equality Forum, he urged the Council to do more, including by incorporating references to sexual violence in all its mandates and making resources available for teams on the ground.

The representative of Tunisia said that the best way to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence is to put an end to conflicts themselves and to build peaceful and resilient societies. Emphasizing the importance of a survivor-centred approach, he said that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence need tailored measures and services that respond to their different needs and contexts. They require psychological, legal and medical services that include sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as socioeconomic opportunities to ensure their reintegration and empowerment in society. Stressing the need to put an end to impunity, he called for robust national legal and judicial measures as well as targeted United Nations sanctions that reflect the seriousness of these heinous crimes. He went on to say that Tunisia is committed to putting a stronger emphasis on conflict-related sexual violence committed by terrorist groups.

The representative of Viet Nam, Council President for April, spoke in his national capacity, emphasizing the need to take a comprehensive approach to the problem, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Such an approach should not only include timely assistance for victims, but also measures to address the root causes of sexual violence in conflict. Preventing such violence also requires the full and equal participation of women in decision-making and peace processes. While States bear primary responsibility to address sexual violence, the international community, and the United Nations system in particular, can provide much-needed development assistance, capacity-building, technical support and training. In that regard, he called for sexual violence prevention and response to be incorporated in peacekeeping mandates and for more women to be deployed in peacekeeping missions to work closely among communities on the ground.