United Nations peacekeeping missions must also strengthen their prevention an...

United Nations peacekeeping missions must also strengthen their prevention and protection capacities. We welcome efforts under way to develop scenariobased training materials, such as curricula based on the publication entitled “Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice”. Also, the recruitment of more community liaison officers, including women, will significantly strengthen the ability of missions to interact with the local population and ensure that the voices of local women are better heard. We would like to encourage the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to continue its efforts in this regard. The Council should exert its influence to ensure that peace agreements refer to sexual violence, and we commend the efforts of the Secretary-General to address the underrepresentation of women in peace processes and negotiations and to enhance women's participation in all peacebuilding efforts.