Making real progress in our efforts against sexual violence in armed conflict...

Making real progress in our efforts against sexual violence in armed conflict requires greater emphasis on prevention and capacity-building. The only way to ensure that the progress achieved during the presence of a peacekeeping mission is sustainable is by working with national Governments to address their needs in the areas of institution-building, the training of personnel, supporting victims and strengthening the rule of law.

We very much appreciate the work that has been done by the Team of Experts on Sexual Violence and the support it has been providing to Member States in strengthening their institutions. It is somewhat surprising that such crucial work is financed exclusively by voluntary contributions.

Real change requires an integrated approach that combines prevention, the fight against impunity and support for victims. The United Nations needs to be prepared to support capacity-building and institutional strengthening as a system-wide priority if we want prevention to be effective and the scourge of sexual violence in armed conflict to be eliminated.