Nigeria
That is all part of a broader effort to strengthen institutional safeguards a...
That is all part of a broader effort to strengthen institutional safeguards against impunity for conflict-related sexual violence. Donors should be encouraged to ensure sustainable funding for this valuable resource for the countries concerned. Nigeria shares the Secretary-General's view that the lack of capacity remains one of the major impediments to ensuring accountability, which leads to widespread impunity. In turn, that has a detrimental impact on access to justice and the security and safety of survivors. It is evident that survivors' access to justice can be hindered by restrictions on physical access and inadequate legislation, or, indeed, by the financial and social costs associated with reporting and pursuing justice for crimes of sexual violence. Regrettably, many countries lack legal aid services and protocols for the protection of victims and witnesses, and an already weakened criminal justice system amplifies the lack of access to justice. We are pleased to note that United Nations actors, including the Team of Experts, continue to support national authorities in that regard.
At the global level there is now unprecedented commitment and momentum on the...
At the global level there is now unprecedented commitment and momentum on the application of all the relevant Security Council resolutions. The international community must sustain that momentum. As part of those accomplishments, we believe that a great deal more needs to be done to implement commitments on women and peace and security. For example, there is a need for increased sex-disaggregated data on security threats in order to contribute to greater security for women. My country welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendations that outline critical elements for the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, specific actions required at political and operational levels and the need for national ownership, leadership and responsibility.
The determination to tackle sexual violence in conflict is not confined to th...
The determination to tackle sexual violence in conflict is not confined to the United Nations. At the regional level, under the auspices of the African Union, the African Solidarity Initiative held a high-level meeting in October 2013 on preventing and responding to sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict countries and beyond. That consultation was organized under key international policy and action frameworks, particularly resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1), the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the protocol on the prevention and suppression of sexual violence against women and children and the 2009 African Union gender policy. The meeting was aimed at significantly reducing and eliminating sexual violence and accelerating the implementation of agreed responses, especially those related to prevention and protection and victims' access to care and justice.
At the subregional level in West Africa, the Economic Community of West Afric...
At the subregional level in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also put in place strong mechanisms with regard to the role of women in conflict prevention and management. Those include the protocol on conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security and the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance. Those mechanisms form the basis of the ECOWAS conflict-prevention framework. The women and peace and security component of the framework is aimed at consolidating women's role, participation and impact at all stages of conflict management, including humanitarian provisions, while reinforcing various national and regional mechanisms on their protection and promotion. Other regional initiatives of that nature include the women's network for peace and security in the ECOWAS region; the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding; the Movement against Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa; and the Alliance of African Initiatives for peace and stability in West Africa. At national level, through the Law Reform Commission and the Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria has initiated reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure the delivery of gender justice in law and practice. Bills on addressing gender equality and all forms of violence against women and girls have been sponsored at both the federal and state level. Strident steps have been taken at the national level to ensure the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In the same vein, Nigeria stresses the importance of compliance with resolution 1820 (2008), on ending acts of sexual violence against women in conflict.
Nigeria fully embraces the adoption of political commitments to prevent sexua...
Nigeria fully embraces the adoption of political commitments to prevent sexual violence in conflict, namely, the historic declarations adopted by the Group of Eight countries in April 2013 and the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, which has been signed by more than 140 nations. We believe that Member States should implement those commitments as a matter of high priority. Member States that have yet to sign that important Declaration should be encouraged to do so before the October deadline — about six months from now. It is critical for States to focus collectively on converting the political commitments into concrete preventive action, particularly at national level. It is in that spirit that Nigeria today, in this forum, declares its intention to sign on to that laudable initiative as a means of demonstrating its unwavering commitment to the fight against sexual violence and all its ramifications.
Sexual violence is a violation of fundamental human rights and, in particular...
Sexual violence is a violation of fundamental human rights and, in particular, the human rights of women. International humanitarian law and international criminal law are dedicated to protecting women from sexual violence. However, we do not see the indices of violence against women diminishing this year. As we have said before, it is the responsibility of all States to put an end not only to that form of violence, but also to impunity for war crimes, including war crimes related to sexual violence, for example, such horrors as forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced sterilization and other types of sexual violence.