The United Nations, and in particular this body, have convened meetings to de...

The United Nations, and in particular this body, have convened meetings to deliberate on mitigating factors that can be employed to prevent and or curb such a scourge. However, despite all efforts, the scourge still persists and continues to terrorize communities, thereby posing a serious security concern. That is so because perpetrators are left unpunished and the culture of impunity aggravates conflict cycles. Fighting sexual violence in conflict is a shared responsibility that requires a broad-based approach that involves the international community, regional and national Governments, civil societies and other stakeholders. National Governments should foster national programmes that take measures aimed at preventing and stopping the occurrence of sexual violence and prosecute perpetrators. In that regard, national stakeholders should be fully engaged in order to foster national ownership, leadership and responsibility. While recognizing that Governments bear the primary responsibility for the safety and rights of women and the protection of all citizens in their countries, the international community should support those efforts, while fully respecting national sovereignty and focusing on capacity-building and resolving funding and technical difficulties.