Statement of Canada

The Group condemns in the strongest terms incidents of sexual violence in all conflicts, including the ongoing trafficking, rape and enslavement of Yazidi women and girls by Da’esh; the abduction and sexual abuse of women and schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Nigeria; and the ongoing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, among many others. Such gender- based violence is a grave violation and abuse of human rights and international humanitarian law, and remains a barrier to the full achievement of gender equality, peace and development. We call for accountability for such crimes, including through the implementation of the international protocol on the documentation and investigation of sexual violence in conflict, as well as greater support for survivors. Furthermore, the Group deplores the fact that the stigmatization of survivors exacerbates their marginalization and is a barrier to their full recovery. Lastly, the Group of Friends condemns in the strongest terms cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations, and it reaffirms its full commitment to the zero-tolerance policy of the United Nations with regard to all civilian, military and police personnel. We call on the international community to redouble its efforts to combat this scourge and welcome the recent efforts undertaken by Member States and the Secretary-General to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, to pursue accountability for perpetrators and to provide support to victims. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of resolution 2272 (2016), the appointment of the Special Coordinator on Improving the United Nations Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and the establishment of the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

First, Canada supports the important work of UN- Women and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Secondly, the advancement of gender equality and the socioeconomic empowerment of women and girls are critical to all peace and development goals. Thirdly, the United Nations and its Member States must do more to integrate women and peace and security issues in peace operations by ending sexual violence and abuse by peacekeeping personnel and by devoting more resources to gender adviser positions. Fourthly, we must take a broad approach to ending gender inequality by involving men and boys as well as women and girls in the joint creation of a truly inclusive space.