During armed conflicts, the risks faced by civilians will always differ depen...

During armed conflicts, the risks faced by civilians will always differ depending on the context and on whether they affect boys or girls, men or women. Sexual assaults during warfare have horrendous implications for victims and entire communities and must simply stop. We re-emphasize the commitment by all Member States to end sexual violence in armed conflicts, and we welcome recent steps taken at the international level to that end. The inclusion of gender-based violence in the Arms Trade Treaty serves as an example. Women and girls who become pregnant after being raped as part of warfare in an armed conflict must have access to adequate sexual and reproductive health services, including access to emergency contraception and safe abortion. We need to eliminate the widespread impunity of the perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, and we strongly support the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bangura and other international initiatives to that effect.