However, we remain deeply concerned about the persistence and rising levels o...

However, we remain deeply concerned about the persistence and rising levels of sexual violence that still persist in some countries. Women and girls continue to be targeted, while rape and violence, including sexual violence, continue to be used as weapons of war. According to the Secretary-General's report on conflict-related sexual violence, the past year has seen several new and ongoing armed conflicts where sexual violence was widespread and, in some instances, may have been systematically aimed at civilians. Mass rapes of women and girls were also witnessed. That is despite repeated condemnation of those inhuman acts by the Council's resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), and 1960 (2010), which became beacons of hope for millions of women and girl victims worldwide.