However, despite this progress, we continue to receive shocking reports of at...

However, despite this progress, we continue to receive shocking reports of atrocious abuses and sexual violence against women in conflict zones, as recently occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Warring parties must first and foremost halt all systematic and individual abuses against women. My delegation believes that the Security Council and the international community as a whole owe it to these victims and others around the world to do much more to prevent such crimes, punish the perpetrators and establish conditions where violence against women is treated like the societal anathema it is. The Council has a special responsibility to enable the United Nations to do the best job it can on this front.