Newly appointed special representative for sexual violence in conflict Margot Wallstrom says sexual violence is not cultural but criminal and emphasizes that sex crimes are a human right's issue.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today (9 February) met with newly appointed Special Representative (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström of Sweden.
Later, Ban told reporters that Ms. Wallströms appointment was a clear demonstration of [the] firm commitment of the United Nations in the fight against sexual violence against women.
Wallström confirmed that cultural differences cannot excuse violence against women which remain criminal actions violating basic human rights.
She said that sexual violence against women was not only a womens' rights issue, but that it was up to both men and women to make sure that women have the right to their bodies.
Margot Wallström, a Swedish politician with a long history in defending womens' rights, cited the need to end impunity as a priority area.
Asked by reporters on MONUCs (UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) role in preventing sexual violence against Congolese women, the chief of peacekeeping operations Alain Le Roy said that without MONUCs presence, the number of cases [of sexual violence] would be, drastically much more and confirmed that he counts on Ms. Wallströms advocacy to further protect women from sex crimes.
Since her appointment to the European Commission in 1999, Ms. Wallström has been actively engaged in promoting the participation of women in peace- and security-related issues, most notably the injustice and violence faced by women during armed conflict.
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