Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Join Forces to Address the Root Causes of Sexual Violence

Press Release: For Immediate Release

(New York, 24 July 2018)

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, and the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), Ms. Dalia Leinarte, welcome the signing of a Framework of Cooperation between the CEDAW Committee and her Office. “With this framework of cooperation, a first between a Security Council-mandated body and a human rights mechanism, the CEDAW Committee and my Office affirm our common commitment to promote and protect the rights of women and girls affected by conflict-related sexual violence, a human rights violation deeply rooted in gender discrimination. This framework of cooperation is aimed at creating sustainable peace by ensuring that the pillars of peace and security, human rights and development remain closely linked. It will also contribute toward Sustainable Development Goal number five on gender equality, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence in conflict, by 2030,” said Special Representative Patten. According to the Chair of the CEDAW Committee, Ms. Dalia Leinarte: “This cooperation framework reflects the strong linkages between conflict-related sexual violence and the obligations of States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to protect women and girls from gender-based violence in times of war, as well as peace”.

According to the Framework of Cooperation, both entities will engage in:

1. Establishing a joint programme of work to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security/and sexual violence in conflict through the implementation of recommendations of the Committee and the Office of the SRSG-SVC;
2. Advancing national-level implementation of human rights standards on the protection of women and girls affected by sexual violence; and
3. Cooperating in the conduct of research and collection of data to ensure accountability and compliance of Member States with the obligations under the Convention and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Commending the engagement of the CEDAW Committee, Special Representative Patten added: “This Framework of Cooperation provides a roadmap to guide our joint efforts to tackle the structural drivers of sexual violence by protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls at risk. Through accountability and fostering compliance with international norms, we can prevent and deter these horrific crimes, and combat the culture of impunity that sustains them. My Office and the CEDAW Committee will continue to support duty-bearers to meet their obligations, and women and girls to claim and realize their rights.”