Peacekeeping

Thirdly, it is important to bear sexual violence in mind in the national training of peacekeeping staff. In that regard, the regional centre in Cairo has worked to promote the resolution of conflict and the maintenance of peace in Africa, in coordination with the Egyptian Defence Ministry. The centre addresses the fight against sexual violence in conflict in meetings for Egyptian personnel prior to their deployment to United Nations peacekeeping forces. Since that element was included in the training curriculum, 3,600 staff of all ranks have been trained. The centre has also organized 12 basic courses on the concept of gender in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. These sessions have been offered to some 3,600 military, police and civilian staff.

Fourthly, we welcome the measures taken by the United Nations to address sexual violence in armed conflict, including an increase in the number of women protection advisers in the field. It is essential that we consolidate and build on national institutional capacities and launch the United Nations initiative to combat sexual violence.

Fifthly, we are committed to the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance for crimes of sexual exploitation. We are pursuing our work with the Security Council and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to end all violence against women in peacekeeping operations. We also expect the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to pursue the efforts of his or her predecessor in the context of the Special Representative’s mandate to resolve issues of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by United Nations or other forces deployed under the United Nations flag.