SGBV

The various forms of violence, discrimination and gender inequality against women and girls are the product of a number of factors having political and economic roots that aggravate inequality. This is a priority matter for the world today, in particular when, because of armed conflicts of varying scales, women are considerably and disproportionately impacted by war more than ever.

Women in conflict situations continue to suffer in a disproportionate and brutal manner from the consequences of armed conflicts. They continue to be subjected to systematic violence and sexual abuse.

One of the other challenges facing the international community today is the high level of violence and sexual abuse used as tools of war by terrorist groups in the Middle East and Africa, particularly the so- called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Jaysh al- Islam, Al-Qaida, the Al-Nusra Front, Boko Haram and all other associated armed groups. Thousands of women and girls have been victims of atrocities and crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, particularly those who fall into ethnic and religious minorities. Boko Haram has perpetrated more than 2,000 kidnappings of children, 276 of whom continue to be missing.

It is unacceptable that women and girls throughout the world continue to be considered the loot of war. It infringes upon their human condition and is shameful. There is also the situation of women and girls in the Palestinian occupied territories, where they are victims of disproportionate and constant violence, assassinations and detentions. Other conflicts, such as those in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, have made women and girls the targets of hate, violence and armed attacks, all of which represent flagrant violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We cannot accept impunity in the face of such crimes. Venezuela advocates assigning accountability for all forms of sexual violence, and there should be exemplary sentences handed down to those found responsible for such crimes.

In that regard, we repeat our appeal regarding the texts and resolutions of the Council relating to the prohibition against the provision of arms or financial and logistic support to such groups, so that we can neutralize their operational capacities and the horrendous practices of sexual exploitation and violence. We reiterate our appeal to the international community to strategically coordinate efforts to prevent sexual violence. There must be a common front linking all possible efforts to prevent extremist violence and terrorism.

Venezuela urges the international community to continue working on dealing with exclusion, inequality and the various forms of sexual violence against women and girls during armed conflicts. Such inexcusable instances of violence only reflect and exacerbate the disequilibrium and imbalance that women and girls are already subject to in periods before armed conflicts. During armed conflicts, those problems generate specific vulnerabilities that require urgent action and the highest possible political commitment.